Joan Gundersen posted a letter from Bishop Duncan to the Network, Dated 2 May 2007. This is not yet posted on the ACN webpages. In it the Moderator says this (excerpted):
"….We are living through remarkable and grievous days; recent events are only the beginning of an unfolding we all prayed would never take place. The recent and overwhelming ly passed resolutions of the House of Bishops make obvious the path The Episcopal Church desires to take. Since then I have prayed and consulted with Network Bishops, Presidents of Standing Committees, or Common Cause Partners and various allies and leaders. The time for statements is over. The House of Bishops has said to us and the worldwide Anglican Communion "we have no need of you except on our own terms." The message has been received. The time for action has come.
The consequences to the Church will be historic and global. Unfolding events will require constancy in prayer, courage, fasting, and sacrificial giving. They will require great wisdom and loving forbearance...
Finally, I admonish us all that our attitude toward those who have so sharply rejected us, and what we believe, must be that of Christ Jesus. Guard your hearts and tongues.
… Still, lest we become like those who oppose us, let us bless those who persecute us, and pray for them that hate us, that our God might still turn their hearts from the wounding and devastation they are bringing to the worldwide Body of Christ."
The letter is additional confirmation (I think) that action is at hand and the end game is being played out.
Across the disagreements the potential for sharp rejection, woundings and devastation is seen from each side. Still, I must say that although I very strongly disagree with the direction Bishop Duncan has gone, I strongly agree with his closing admonition, that "our attitude toward those who have so sharply rejected us, and what we believe, must be that of Christ Jesus. Guard your hearts and tongues."
This letter also makes it clear that with some of the recent parish departures to CANA and maybe a shift in IRD support for CANA, the ACN revenue flows have suffered.
ReplyDeleteBegging is not becoming for +Duncan. Lawsuits are eating away at his dioceasean budget, CANA stole some parishes from ACN, FW is about leave ECUSA, the Dean of his seminary in Ambridge just suddenly quit. This poor guy is currently having a (deservedly) bad time.
I see the letter as purely a panicked development/fund raising attempt, trying to convince his dwindling followers that he means action. I'd like to think the timing of this letter is only coincidence.
Andy in Pittsburgh
The financial situation is indeed tight. The Diocese of San Joaquin has recently asked for support from the Network because of the citrus freeze in the valley. Departing wealthy CANA congregations have probably cut a swath in network finances as well. More than anything else, this letter is a solicitation letter for both cash and prayers
ReplyDeleteSacrificial giving? LOL. Have Ahmanson and Scaife shut down the gravy train?
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else notice Duncan's quote from St. Athanasius?
ReplyDeleteWherefore, as saith the Saviour, in that they gather not with us, they scatter with the devil.
If anyone among us still wondered whether there were any limits to Duncan's hubris, that should settle the matter.
And we all know what hubris leads to, don't we?
Duncan said, "The House of Bishops has said to us and the worldwide Anglican Communion "'we have no need of you except on our own terms.'"
ReplyDeleteOdd, I thought that was what Duncan, The Network, The Global South, and others were saying.
-UTS