Strategy in Southern Africa to create facts on the ground as in TEC by pleading diocesan autonomy
by Chris Sugden
The Synod of the Diocese of False Bay, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, is meeting from 23-26 September. On its agenda is the following resolution:
“That this Synod
Affirming a pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment in our parish families.
Notes the positive statements of previous Provincial Synods that Gay and Lesbian members of out Church share in full membership as baptised members of the Body of Christ, and are affirmed and welcomed as such;
Affirms our commitment to prayerful and respectful dialogue around these issues, mindful of the exhortations of previous Lambeth Conferences to engage with those most affected.
Commends giving serious and prayerful consideration to the acceptance of gays and lesbians in their committed relationships as valued members of our parish, bearing in mind the long standing tradition within the Anglican Communion of respect for individual conscience, in seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus;
Asks the Bishop to request the Synod of Bishops to provide pastoral guidelines for those of our members who are in covenanted partnerships as faithful members of our parish families.”
At the end of August the Diocese of Cape Town passed a similar resolution asking the Bishops “to provide guidelines for the pastoral care of those in committed same sex relationships”.
One commentator has noted:
“Unless a firm and clear theological response is forthcoming from the Bishops containing directives specific to this issue, and sanctions to be applied to those who disobey, the Province of Southern Africa is heading down the tubes very fast.
There is unfortunately no indication that the synod of bishops are remotely aware of the importance of this issue – that it is a salvation issue- or that it is the manifestation of a new and false gospel that will take over by default.”
The strategy being pursued here is the same as that which has been followed in TEC. Activist dioceses are encouraged to create facts on the ground under the guise of diocesan autonomy. It is then pushed higher up the provincial ladder and we get resolutions such as those passed at TEC’s Anaheim Convention. The trajectory in South Africa is likely to be the same as that of TEC.
The strategy is to create a beachhead in Southern Africa, under an ideology of human rights which is promoted by the iconic figure of Desmond Tutu, but which is not subject to biblical critique, by which the unity of the African Church against the actions of TEC is undermined. TEC requires an ally in the Global South and these proposals are the first efforts to secure Southern Africa as such a beachhead.
The Ridley Covenant and Rowan Williams’ two tier proposal both identify that that the Cape Town resolution, and this now being proposed at False Bay in the neighbouring diocese do not represent NOT mainstream Anglicanism. Even the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of South Africa said only this week: “holding as we do, that Christian marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman, we hold that clergy unable to commit to another in Christian marriage partnership are called to a life of celibacy.”
Bishop Bethlehem Nopece of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth made the mainstream position very clear following the Anaheim Convention. “The Episcopal Church General Convention adoption of resolutions D025 and C056 is a deliberate defiance of the wider Body of the Anglican Communion. We believe this is the choice they make to be politically correct with circular popular opinion which seeks continually to destroy the moral fibre of people in general as we see the decay all around us. The blessings of the same-sex unions and the ordination of practicing gay clergy is inconsistent with the Word of God written; it is theologically uninformed, incoherent with the wider church, endorsing schism in the Anglican Communion and threatens ecumenical fellowship and relations.
The statement of their presiding Bishop Katherine Jeffert Schori on salvation of individual seems to strip the gospel of its transforming power of each one of repentant persons when in Christ to be “a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). The Episcopal Church has made its choice to journey alone. We as the Anglican Church we still uplift the Biblical standard of guidance in moral behaviour. We do not seek any political correctness, but call upon all people to repentance and change of life and patterns of behaviour for a new character in line with the demands of the Word of God. Our programme is of pastoral care that transforms lives, eradicate poverty, heal the sick e.g. HIV and Aids, remove crime from our streets and build a sound family life in conformity to God’s demands as revealed in the scriptures (Mtt 5:48).
On the issues of homosexuality, we continue to journey on until all people come to the obedience of faith (Rom.15:18). The nation of South Africa must not be deceived, God will bless us only when we seek after righteousness.” http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/?p=13602
To enable an orthodox perspective to be considered and discussed, a further motion has been proposed asking that links with The Episcopal Church in the USA be severed and the Anglican Church in North America be recognized.
Joy Magazine, the leading Christian magazine in South Africa, /www.joymag.co.za, reports in its October issue the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans on September 3rd to affirm mainstream Anglican teaching.
ANGLICANS LAUNCH CONSERVATIVE FELLOWSHIP GROUP IN SA
The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in South Africa (FCASA) launched at St. John’s Church in Port Elizabeth recently in response to growing concerns in that denomination over theological compromise in Anglican churches worldwide and in this country. “The launch of FCASA comes after the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town passed a resolution last month to provide pastoral guidelines for gay parishioners living in ‘covenanted partnerships’. South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is legal.
The resolution was proposed to provide a pastoral response to homosexual parishioners whose relationships are recognised by the state.
At a time when some conservative An glicans are choosing to split from their national churches over differences on Scriptural authority and homosexuality, organisers of the FCA insist their movement is not an act of secession but a way of keeping Orthodox, Biblical Anglicanism ‘inside the fold.’ This split and subsequent launch of FCA’s in countries such as Britain and SA, have pointed to The Episcopal Church in the U.S. and its departure from Anglican tradition and Scripture as the catalyst for their formation. (The Episcopal Church widened rifts within the global Anglican Communion in 2003 when it consecrated its first openly gay bishop). This year, U.S. Episcopal leaders passed resolutions that will further impair the unity of the global body – one resolution declares the denomination’s ordination process open to all individuals, including practising homosexuals.
Organised by Fr Gavin Mitchell, Fr Nigel Juckes and supported by key role players like Canon Dr. Chris Sugden, Canon Dr. Vinay Samuel, the conference was graced by Anglican ministers from around SA and most notably by Rt. Rev. Bethlehem Nopece and retired Archbishop of Kenya, Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi. (Both of whom supported the formation of the FCA).
Interestingly, the Church of England in South Africa (CESA) and the Traditional Anglican Communion, have joined the fellowship.” For information about the FCA and the goings on in the Anglican Church, see www.fcasa.wordpress.com and view www.anglican-mainstream.net ?
“ALL CHRISTIANS MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH, NOT JUST MINISTERS”
JOY! recently had the privilege of interviewing Bishop Bethlehem Nopece at the launch of FCASA in September. What a humble, warm, Godly man! As the most senior South African Anglican official there, we asked him a few questions with reference to the ‘Anglican Crisis’. Commenting on how the global crisis began he said: “The issues within the Anglican Church have been simmering for a long time, and are only now coming to the fore. The interpretation of Scripture and its cultural validity is an issue affecting all denominations in the Body of Christ – however, the true Church of Jesus will not compromise on His Word and will stand firm against liberal thinking that has infiltrated this sacred institution. As concerned Biblical Anglicans, we intend to do the same in SA through the FCA.”
Queried whether FCASA was a splinter group within the Anglican Church, Nopece replied (with such grace and wisdom): “Our intention with the formation of this group is not to bring division nor is it to form a breakaway. Rather it is our hope that as a working group of concerned ministers, we would encourage Anglican leaders in this country to stand firm on the uncompromised Word of God, and not to bow down to political or social correctness on key issues. It is my hope that the bishops of this province will respect the clergy who participate in this fellowship and who remain faithful to the 39 articles of the Anglican tradition.”
Regarding the future of the Anglican Church in SA, Nopece affirmed: “Anglicans are leaders…but we must lead toward Truth. I see the FCASA playing an active role in equipping ministers and members to uphold the Truth and in keeping the Anglican Church accountable.”?
AFRICAN CHURCHES MUST STAND
Retired Kenyan Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi (who attended the launch of FCASA) stood in solidarity with fellow South African Anglicans who gathered together to launch the Orthodox group of ministers committed to preaching, teaching and upholding Biblical doctrine.
Nzimbi has been actively involved in GAFCON and the support of Biblical Anglican ministers who were removed of their posts in the U.S. after splitting from the Episcopal Church. He encouraged Anglican ministers across this country and the continent to remain steadfast in upholding The Faith, and not to compromise or ‘stay silent’ on key issues because of financial support from external donors. He exhorted churches (particularly in Africa and poorer provinces of S.A.) to become sustainable and to trust in God. Nzimbi added: “This crisis in the Anglican Church is not just about homosexuality – it is about far more – that is the validity, sovereignty and application of Scripture. The stance of South African Anglicans in this matter is vital; other African states (eg: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria) have taken their stand. Now your time has come.” ?
RAISING A PROPHETIC CHURCH
Convenor of the Theological Resource Group of the FCA. Dr. Vinay Samuel emphasised the importance of South Africa in the struggle for Truth when addressing Anglican ministers recently. “If South Africa is simply going to take a human rights agenda that is not tempered or shaped by Biblical Truth, but shaped by the ideology of rights and uses the iconic status of leaders such as Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela to silence any questions to its agenda, whether in human sexuality or in any other area, it is not the best gift to the world from South Africa.
It is up to you to say “‘No, we will draw on all the best of South Africa, its journey in reconciliation and social transformation; but we will also recognise its weaknesses – its weakness in moral frameworks and its inability to uphold truths’.” Samuel challenged the ministers to unite in heart and purpose, and to prophetically speak out – in the sense of preaching the Biblical Gospel.?
To contact Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in Southern Africa contact Fr Gavin Mitchell, frgavin@gmail.com
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