by John Sandeman, The Other Cheek
Anglicans around the world are sometimes surprisingly English. They exhibit real skill in not saying ‘no’ outright, but are good at burying or smoothing over rejection of an awkward proposal, smothering things in politeness.
There have been two excellent specimens for any sociologists interested.
Last month, a body called the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) gathered in Belfast – to do as their name implies, consult together as Anglican bishops, clergy and lay people representing Anglican provinces – that is, national churches (mostly).
Several, but not all, Provinces in the conservative Gafcon (Global Anglican Communion) network did not turn up. Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda maintained their long-standing boycott.
But a similarly conservative body, the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans, did show up but stayed away from communion services. They came to engage with what were called the Nairobi-Cairo proposals, which had been put forward by another Anglican Communion body, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order, which focuses on theology.
Hat Tip: Anglican Ink