South African archbishop disavows anti-gay Anglican split move

-27/09/06

Archbishop Nj


South African archbishop disavows anti-gay Anglican split move

-27/09/06

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town has distanced himself from the communiquÈ issued last week after a meeting of “Global South” Anglican leaders met in Kigali, Rwanda ñ and in particular from proposals for an ëalternativeí anti-gay American Episcopal Church.

Instead the African leader makes an impassioned appeal for patience and faithfulness in handling differences on sexuality, echoing calls from Dr Rowan Williams, spiritual head of the conflict-riven 77-million strong Anglican Communion

Although 20 Anglican Provinces were represented at the 19-22 September 2006 meeting, not all the attendees endorsed the resulting communiquÈ and Ndungane was unaware of its contents or planned dissemination, he said in a statement that clarified some details about the four-day gathering.

This is not the first time that a Global South meeting has put out statement without the awareness or involvement of all its members. The Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf was last year angered by the inclusion of his name on a document criticizing the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ndungane was present at the meeting but was not consulted on the document, he explains, describing parts of it as “not consonant with the position of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa” whose bishops unanimously issued a strong call to work for unity within the Anglican Communion, in early September.

In particular, Ndungane dissociates the Southern African Province – one of 12 Anglican Provinces in Africa – from proposals to develop alternative church structures in America, and to sideline Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who will become Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in November 2006.

He also chides the group for being “so dominated by an inordinate influence from the United States” rather than learning the lessons of black and liberation theology and black consciousness, in order to concentrate on their own priorities.

In a lengthy statement, Ndungane argues that the “due processes of Anglicanism” should be followed as the Anglican Communion wrestles with its differences over homosexuality.

He warns against giving the impression “of being loyal Anglicans only when it suits” and attempting to pre-empt the outcome of the debate within Anglicanism’s governing structures.

Ndungane concludes by offering “a plea from the heart” to his fellow church leaders to “hold fast” to the heart of Anglican identity and practice. He calls on them to “step back from the brink” at which the Kigali communiquÈ appears to place them, saying that to act precipitately puts the essence of Anglicanism at risk.

“We do not have a God who is slow to act,” Ndungane says. “We can have confidence to let him lead our church forward.”

[Also on Ekklesia: Divided opinion on the meaning of ECUSA stance on gay bishops 01/07/06; First female Anglican leader prepares to weather the storm 28/06/06; Archbishop sees covenant not contract as Anglican way forward 27/06/06; Ecumenism not hit by woman presiding bishop, say observers 23/06/06; US Episcopal Church turns down ban on gay bishops 21/06/06; Joy greets the first-ever Anglican woman leader 19/06/06; Don’t practice divisive religion, UN man tells Episcopalians 18/06/06; Inclusive Church reports on key US Episcopal gathering 16/06/06; Episcopal Church USA faces pressure on Anglican gay split; Lord Carey says ordaining a gay bishop verges on heresy; Conservative Episcopalians break away ahead of Eames report; African bishops say Windsor Report is offensive; Windsor Report does not call for apology; Episcopal bishop rejects Nigerian criticism on gays]


South African archbishop disavows anti-gay Anglican split move

-27/09/06

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town has distanced himself from the communiquÈ issued last week after a meeting of “Global South” Anglican leaders met in Kigali, Rwanda ñ and in particular from proposals for an ëalternativeí anti-gay American Episcopal Church.

Instead the African leader makes an impassioned appeal for patience and faithfulness in handling differences on sexuality, echoing calls from Dr Rowan Williams, spiritual head of the conflict-riven 77-million strong Anglican Communion

Although 20 Anglican Provinces were represented at the 19-22 September 2006 meeting, not all the attendees endorsed the resulting communiquÈ and Ndungane was unaware of its contents or planned dissemination, he said in a statement that clarified some details about the four-day gathering.

This is not the first time that a Global South meeting has put out statement without the awareness or involvement of all its members. The Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf was last year angered by the inclusion of his name on a document criticizing the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ndungane was present at the meeting but was not consulted on the document, he explains, describing parts of it as “not consonant with the position of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa” whose bishops unanimously issued a strong call to work for unity within the Anglican Communion, in early September.

In particular, Ndungane dissociates the Southern African Province – one of 12 Anglican Provinces in Africa – from proposals to develop alternative church structures in America, and to sideline Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who will become Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in November 2006.

He also chides the group for being “so dominated by an inordinate influence from the United States” rather than learning the lessons of black and liberation theology and black consciousness, in order to concentrate on their own priorities.

In a lengthy statement, Ndungane argues that the “due processes of Anglicanism” should be followed as the Anglican Communion wrestles with its differences over homosexuality.

He warns against giving the impression “of being loyal Anglicans only when it suits” and attempting to pre-empt the outcome of the debate within Anglicanism’s governing structures.

Ndungane concludes by offering “a plea from the heart” to his fellow church leaders to “hold fast” to the heart of Anglican identity and practice. He calls on them to “step back from the brink” at which the Kigali communiquÈ appears to place them, saying that to act precipitately puts the essence of Anglicanism at risk.

“We do not have a God who is slow to act,” Ndungane says. “We can have confidence to let him lead our church forward.”

[Also on Ekklesia: Divided opinion on the meaning of ECUSA stance on gay bishops 01/07/06; First female Anglican leader prepares to weather the storm 28/06/06; Archbishop sees covenant not contract as Anglican way forward 27/06/06; Ecumenism not hit by woman presiding bishop, say observers 23/06/06; US Episcopal Church turns down ban on gay bishops 21/06/06; Joy greets the first-ever Anglican woman leader 19/06/06; Don’t practice divisive religion, UN man tells Episcopalians 18/06/06; Inclusive Church reports on key US Episcopal gathering 16/06/06; Episcopal Church USA faces pressure on Anglican gay split; Lord Carey says ordaining a gay bishop verges on heresy; Conservative Episcopalians break away ahead of Eames report; African bishops say Windsor Report is offensive; Windsor Report does not call for apology; Episcopal bishop rejects Nigerian criticism on gays]