Anglicans

Todd Hunter has stumbled upon something he believes is bringing former Christians back to church and has the potential to draw the unchurched.

Liturgy.

Though liturgies have existed for hundreds of years, Hunter believes churches can employ those traditions for the present mission field. more >>

Anglicans in Pittsburgh who broke from The Episcopal Church announced this week that they will appeal the recent ruling that strips them of their church properties.

Now called The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, the breakaway group of 51 local congregations say if the ruling is left uncontested, "the award of all diocesan assets to the minority party ... would establish a precedent that we believe the minority would use to take steps to seize all the assets of all our local parishes."

"Our decision to appeal is for the purpose of protecting the mission of our fifty-one local congregations," the diocese said in a statement Thursday. more >>

Anglican leaders across the global communion welcomed the Catholic Church's historic decision to allow disaffected Anglicans into their fold.

"We rejoice that the Holy See has opened this doorway, which represents another step in the growing cooperation and relationship between our Churches," commented the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican).

The Vatican introduced on Tuesday a new church structure that will allow former Anglicans to enter "full communion" with the Catholic Church while preserving their Anglican traditions. Pope Benedict XVI has made the provision in response to the numerous requests he has received from Anglicans who are unhappy with the ordination of women and noncelibate gay bishops. more >>

The Supreme Court of Virginia has agreed to hear the appeal of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia nearly a year after breakaway Anglicans came away with a court win in church property disputes.

In an announcement Wednesday, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia said the state high court will review every issue raised for appeal by the diocese and the national church without oral argument.

"We welcome this next step to bringing exiled Episcopalians closer to returning to their church homes," said Henry Burt, secretary of the diocese, in a statement. more >>

A group of conservative Anglicans that broke away from The Episcopal Church recently announced a new project to educate American members about Islam and the challenges it poses to the Church and its mission.

Called the Church and Islam Project, the new initiative includes educational seminars, reading materials, and information made available at a new Web site, www.ChurchandIslam.com.

“As Christians, we are called to reach out to the world around us to spread the love of Christ and that includes learning how to respond to other religions,” said the Rev. Canon Julian Dobbs, Canon Missioner of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). more >>