Bishop Whalon on Rescue Missions as a Distraction.

Bishop Pierre Whalon, in an article for Anglicans Online titled, On polygamy, homosexuality, and generosity, wrote the following.

"In our discussions, it also became clear that these interventions in the U.S, and Canada, often in dioceses of conservative bishops, have been driven by issues of political power and status, both ecclesial and secular, as well as money, rather than creedal matters calling for fraternal support of beleaguered faithful. A Rwandan bishop, for instance, began the incursions in 1998, four years after the genocide and five years before the General Convention of 2003. “Rescuing” Americans seems to provide a happy distraction from the lingering wounds of the collaboration of Rwandan Christians, including some Anglicans, in that horrific event. That pattern of distraction from pressing problems has been repeated elsewhere."

The Rwanda incursion in 1998 is what gave rise to the Anglican Mission in the Americas, but it began in 1998 with Bishop John Rucyahana's giving oversight to St. Andrews in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The bio page on Bishop Rucyahana says this, "Bishop John testified his belief against the recent contracting issue of homosexuality in the Episcopal Church of America where by some members welcomed the idea of homosexuality. Bishop John begun the spiritual fight against homosexuality and protected Christians of St Andrews in USA who were being persecuted for their true faith. For that in the 1998 Lambeth Conference he proclaimed it to all Anglican Bishops at the conference. Thus, there is a newly christian faith community known as " Anglican Mission in America" supported by both the Episcopal Church of Rwanda and the Episcopal church of South East Asia."

Archbishop Kolini of Rwanda expanded that first effort and in 2000 AMiA was born.

The leaders of the Church in Rwanda are part of the Francophone Network, and so is Bishop Whalon, who is Bishop in Charge of the American Churches in Europe. Bishop Whalon's remarks are no doubt based on solid evidence. His contacts among leaders in several of the Provinces of considerable depth.

Bishop Whalon raises an important idea here - that support of the incursions into the Episcopal Church, can be seen as "a happy distraction" for some in otherwise difficult times. That such distractions might also "have been driven by issues of political power and status, both ecclesial and secular, as well as money" puts a matter on the table that has for too often sat there, unexamined.

His remark reminds us that there is still investigative work to be done. Are the incursions an opportunity for distraction from other matters, involving "political power and status, both ecclesial and secular, as well as money"?

I'm sure you will let us know.