Canadian Anglican leaders are practicing either “denial” or “hypocrisy” when they criticize bishops who cross diocesan jurisdictions to minister to congregations unable to accept the liberal drift of the Canadian church, according to Presiding Bishop Gregory Venables, Primate of the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone.
 
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and the church’s regional archbishops released a letter Thursday calling on Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to condemn the initiative because it contravenes the Windsor Report, previous Lambeth resolutions as well as historic church canons and practice.
 
“They have broken historic agreements ­ the Lambeth Conference agreement and the Windsor Report – to go ahead with blessing same-sex relationships,” Archbishop Venables said in an interview with the Anglican Journal of Canada. “To use that argument against us is a bit odd to say the least.”
 
Earlier this month, the General Synod of the Southern Cone approved a plan to provide pastoral care to Anglicans in North America who are unable to accept the theological innovations which have characterized the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church over the past 30 years or so. The decision by General Synod follows a similar decision by the House of Bishops of the Southern Cone in September. 
 
The statement from Archbishop Hiltz also notes that the invitation from the Southern Cone is unnecessary because the Canadian church has already made “adequate and appropriate provision for the pastoral care and episcopal support” of those who are in disagreement with their diocese or national church.
 
Archbishop Venables said the dissenting churches obviously don’t consider the provisions adequate or they would not have petitioned his province for alternate primatial oversight.
 
“The sexuality issue is the presenting issue,” he said, “but there are things about scripture, about who Jesus is. The creeds have seen Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the one way to God the Father.”
 
The Province of the Southern Cone, the Anglican Church of Canada, and The Episcopal Church are among the 38 provinces in communion with the See of Canterbury. Archbishop Venables said the invitation was made in order to provide a way for members who would otherwise be unable to remain Anglican.
 
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