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In quest for a solution to "the American problem" within the Anglican Communion, a group of Orthodox Episcopalians have proposed a new compact that called for no further delay in resolving the divide.
In the "Interim Compact of Anglican Loyalty," Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion (LEAC) urged for a new orthodox Anglican structure in North America that would operate independently from the worldwide Anglican body until the Communion formally rids the American continent of the Episcopal Church and charters a reliable replacement province for orthodox Anglicans.
The compact was presented over the weekend to each of the 38 primates who are scheduled to meet at the annual Primates meeting on Feb. 14 in Tanzania and also in support of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert W. Duncan, head of the Anglican Communion Network. Duncan was invited to attend the Primates meeting as a representative of orthodox U.S. interests.
More than anything, the LEAC called for an immediate solution to "the American problems."
Since the 2003 consecration of openly gay bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, more than 100 U.S. parishes, according to LEAC, have departed from the Episcopal Church and aligned themselves with provinces overseas to remain in the Anglican Communion. Breakaway congregations felt the Episcopal Church theologically abandoned the Communion, departing from scriptural authority and the Windsor Report.
The Windsor Report had affirmed the global church's stance on homosexuality as incompatible with Scripture and called parties that violated the doctrine to repentance.
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Lay Episcopalians described the divide among Anglicans the "bleeding in America."
"A prompt American solution is imperative," stated the compact.
An LEAC spokesman said they cannot wait for a resolution until the next international meeting and urged for action at the Primates meeting. Further delay would precipitate further "balkanizing" of the American Anglican body, the LEAC compact stated
"We believe irreparable harm will be done to the prospects of restoration and renewal of a unified, robust orthodox Anglican presence if action is delayed until the scheduled decennial Anglican bishops’ conference in 2008, or beyond."
Archbishop Peter Akinola of the Church of Nigeria had also called for a prompt resolution to the issue of homosexuality before the 2008 Lambeth Conference, particularly at the Primates meeting. If the issue is not resolved, Akinola warned that his church would walk separate ways from the worldwide Communion.
Meanwhile, an immediate activation of the proposed independent orthodox structure in America, or what the LEAC called a "province-in-waiting," could be in operation as soon as All Saints Day, Nov. 1.
The new federation would undertake a "pan-Anglican" role bringing faithful dioceses together into a "mosaic." Churches aligned with foreign provinces, however, would likely be required to discontinue those relationships and rejoin the new organization, the LEAC stated.
The Primates meeting is said to be a make-or-break gathering amid a growing divide over homosexuality. During the six-day meeting, only four hours are scheduled to be devoted to discussing the Episcopal Church and its response to the Windsor Report. Other than U.S. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, three other U.S. bishops besides, including Duncan, will present their views during an extra-curricular session.
