Anglican Myth 7: Overseas Bishops will be the answer.
By Anglican Futures.
The Anglican Myth series considers whether some commonly held beliefs amongst faithful Anglicans actually hold water. This is the seventh in the series.
Last week, the Church of England’s House of Bishops met. Their press release stated that they had, “agreed in principle that prayers asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples – known as Prayers of Love and Faith – should be commended for use.”
Many faithful Anglicans agree with the “Orthodox Ordinands” , who wrote in a letter to the House of Bishops, “Both the Prayers of Love and Faith and the indicated guidance leave us feeling vulnerable and concerned. We anticipate fracturing across the Church of England if they are implemented. We fear harm to the church’s gospel witness if they proceed.”
Both the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans (GSFA) and Global Anglican Futures Conference (Gafcon) have expressed their commitment to supporting the faithful in the Church of England.
After the meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod in February 2023 ten Primates of the GSFA issued what they called the “Ash Wednesday Statement”. In it they say,
“GSFA Primates will carefully work with other Primates to provide Primatial and episcopal oversight to orthodox dioceses and networks of Anglican churches who indicate their need and consult with us”.
Likewise, when Gafcon met for its five-yearly gathering in Rwanda in May this year the “Kigali Commitment” stated,
“We also continue to stand with and pray for those faithful Anglicans who remain within the Church of England”.
Some have thought this type of support might extend to the provision of “Alternative Episcopal Oversight” by overseas clergy for clergy and laity who cannot accept the “spiritual oversight” of their Diocesan bishop but wish to remain in the Church of England.
The GSFA is hosting a historic meeting of orthodox Anglican leaders in Cairo next week and, amongst so many other pressing issues, perhaps this is one of the questions that will be addressed.
It is, however, difficult to see to what extent, if at all, episcopal oversight from overseas bishops, would work given the legal, ecclesial and pastoral issues that arise.
https://www.anglicanfutures.org/post/anglican-myth-7-overseas-bishops-will-be-the-answer
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