Everybody must get stoned

Now that three ACA bishops, (Bishop Marsh, Bishop Williams and Bishop Strawn) have each announced the two fold decision to draw close to Presiding Bishop Grundorf and the Anglican Province in America (APA) and to decline the proposal Anglicanorum Coetibus, the TAC has announced that it has a new canonical structure. Archbishop Hepworth has sent a letter to the ACA House of Bishops (the text of which appears below), informing them that parishes in the those three dioceses, of what we may call the Loyal Opposition, may divorce themselves from their respective diocesan Ordinaries to come under the Patrimony of the Primate. Part of Hepworth's letter declares:

"In July, I made this proposal to the House of Bishops of the ACA:

1. The Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion will accept into the Patrimony of the Primate those clergy and laity whose diocese or province has determined, through a declaration of its bishop or bishops, that it is not seeking corporate reunion under the terms of the Apostolic Constitution at this time."

The idea itself is not new. In the ACC-OP we allow a parish that considers itself in temporary need of alternative oversight to come under the Patrimony of the Metropolitan, for the purpose of remaining within the church while differences with the Bishop Ordinary of their geographical diocesan boundaries remain unresolved. This was passed properly as part of our Canon Law in a Provincial Synod (perhaps someone knows if the TAC canon was passed in the same manner, or if it was announced as if from On High. I really don't have the answer at the time of this writing). Such an arrangement is meant to be temporary. This idea works as a last resort, but only with a parish.

Hepworth's letter, however, creates confusion, because it allows an individual to enter the "Patrimony of the Primate" with or without the consent of his Parish.

"4. As soon as a person seeks membership of the Patrimony for this purpose, the Primate (acting where necessary through a delegate) will recognise reception into the Patrimony for the purposes of the formation of an Ordinariate."

A practical question is, how does one expect churches to function where the Rector's authority is divided up among the congregation?

Furthermore, how does the local Bishop keep peace in his diocese if he is forced to have his clergy divided up in the same way, as Hepworth allows?

"3. The clergy and laity who are admitted to the Patrimony for this purpose will remain incardinated in the diocese in which they presently serve, and will retain all entitlements arising from their present position, until the time at which they formally become part of the Ordinariate. No canonical or legal action will be taken in any way by a diocese or national body of a member church against those availing themselves of this facility, whether corporately or individually."

So, the local bishop cannot govern, and the local rector cannot even have a peaceful congregation. The possibilities for strife and discord are impossible to estimate. But, the raw power of the TAC Primate has been increased:

"It is my judgement that this is the appropriate time to establish the Patrimony of the Primate in the United States. With the consent of Archbishop Falk, I appoint Bishop David Moyer as my delegate for this purpose."

Party Line
Meanwhile, in reporting this newly declared polity, Mr. Campbell of the Former Anglican Blog, has sounded the hostile refrain heard these days from the Enthusiasts for converting to Rome en masse:

"...this new canonical structure may provide support to many TAC clergy and laity who find themselves now dispossessed by several disloyal ACA bishops..."

Of course, the "several disloyal ACA bishops" refers to the three whose consciences forbid them to take a course of action they do not believe in. The mantra that they are disloyal, or the accusation that they have broken some alleged oath, or the assertion that they owe obedience to Hepworth's agenda, comes from the Aussie Primate himself, as his letter of last week shows (concerning which Fr. Hollister had a few words for us).

In other words, men who are supposed to be Anglican bishops, whose stated promises were made according to the Anglican Ordinal in the Book of Common Prayer, and who have accepted the responsibility to lead dioceses of people who are committed to the Affirmation of St. Louis, are somehow guilty of a terrible sin because they have not been persuaded to convert to Roman Catholicism. Apparently, such a drastic decision is simply expected, despite all the obvious reasons why it makes no sense to expect such a thing of anyone.

I mentioned earlier that Mr. Campbell's padded cell awaits, or it should await. He would not be alone. It appears that the bully from Australia should also be joining him in the same room, dressed in the same attire: A jacket one must tie up in the back. Strait is the jacket, and padded the walls, for men who see this whole thing as if it were reasonable.
________

From the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion,
Archbishop John Hepworth.

For much of this year, I have taken part in a phone conference each week with the bishops of the Anglican Church in America, the United States part of the Traditional Anglican Communion. In a pastoral and collegial manner, we have sought to reach an understanding of the implication of the Apostolic Constitution "On the gathering of the Anglicans", and of issues concerning its implementation.

In July, I made this proposal to the House of Bishops of the ACA:

1. The Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion will accept into the Patrimony of the Primate those clergy and laity whose diocese or province has determined, through a declaration of its bishop or bishops, that it is not seeking corporate reunion under the terms of the Apostolic Constitution at this time.

2. This facility is offered in every province of the Traditional Anglican Communion in which need is established in the terms of Paragraph 1.

3. The clergy and laity who are admitted to the Patrimony for this purpose will remain incardinated in the diocese in which they presently serve, and will retain all entitlements arising from their present position, until the time at which they formally become part of the Ordinariate. No canonical or legal action will be taken in any way by a diocese or national body of a member church against those availing themselves of this facility, whether corporately or individually.

4. As soon as a person seeks membership of the Patrimony for this purpose, the Primate (acting where necessary through a delegate) will recognise reception into the Patrimony for the purposes of the formation of an Ordinariate.

5. The bishop or priest delegated for this purpose will expedite the documentation and any other matter pertaining to the formation of the Ordinariate, and will report to the Primate as necessary.

It would be my intention, supported by Archbishop Falk, that I appoint Bishop Moyer as delegate for this purpose in the USA.

On 18th August, Archbishop Falk communicated with me in the following terms:

As just discussed with the Bishops of the ACA a few minutes ago, the action of our House of Bishops earlier this year in recommending an "interim status" situation for ACA clerics and/or congregations already determined to seek entry into an Ordinariate in the USA under the terms of Anglicanorum Coetibus is reaffirmed. It is our position that no impediment exists to your going ahead with the same at such time as you may choose.

It is my judgement that this is the appropriate time to establish the Patrimony of the Primate in the United States. With the consent of Archbishop Falk, I appoint Bishop David Moyer as my delegate for this purpose. All enquiries and applications are to be made to Bishop Moyer. With the unanimous consent of the House of Bishops of the ACA, all those entering the Patrimony will retain their present position within the ACA until the establishment of the Ordinariate in the United States.

Bishop Moyer has the documentation for clergy seeking entry to the Ordinariate that was provided to the Traditional Anglican Communion bishops and Secretary to the College of Bishops on our recent meeting with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

I have informed Cardinal Levada of this development, which enables those members of our Communion seeking entry to the Ordinariate in the United States to make corporate preparations.

With my continued prayers and blessing for all those engaged in this time of discernment,

+John Hepworth