Musings of an Anglican/Episcopal Priest

Tag: Anglican

Renewal in the Spirit: The Archbishop’s Pentecost Letter to the Anglican Communion

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[Note: The following is a summary of the Archbishop’s Pentecost letter to the Communion.  I will respond with my own thoughts when I have the chance, but I wanted to pass this along to those who might not see this elsewhere. -JBH]

Friday 28 May 2010

In his Pentecost letter to the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury encourages Anglicans to pray for renewal in the Spirit and focus on the priority of mission, so that ‘we may indeed do what God asks of us and let all people know that new and forgiven life in Christ is possible’.

The Archbishop acknowledges that Anglicans are experiencing a period of transition in the world: ‘when the voice and witness in the Communion of Christians from the developing world is more articulate and creative than ever, and when the rapidity of social change in ‘developed’ nations leaves even some of the most faithful and traditional Christian communities uncertain where to draw the boundaries in controversial matters – not only sexuality but issues of bioethics, for example, or the complexities of morality in the financial world.’

In response to the current situation the Archbishop makes clear that when a province ‘declines to accept requests or advice from the consultative organs of the Communion, it is very hard to see how members of that province can be placed in position where they are required to represent the Communion as a whole. This affects both our ecumenical dialogues…and our faith-and-order related groups.’

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UK caused cholera, says Zimbabwe

It’s nice to see a Bishop being so outspoken on this.  The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been in turmoil, as has so much else in that country, with divisions forming between supporters of the president (evidently a minority, at least in the heirarchy) and those who desire his defeat and/or removal.  The conflict about who the rightful Bishop of Harare is, is an example of the way these political realities are affecting the Church.  It is also interesting that President Mugabe has tried to paint those who oppose him with the “liberal” and “white” brush of supporting homosexuality because they haven’t left the Anglican Communion (of which the Episcopal Church is still a part.)

At any rate, I am glad to read about a Bishop from the neighboring country of South Africa taking a strong stand against Mugabe, and I hope this is a sign of further movement to come.  I agree with those who say Mugabe must be removed by his fellow Africans–after all, what would it look like for one of the last remaining leaders of a colonial independence movement to be removed by western powers?  But while it must be done by his own people and his neighbors, it nonetheless must be done.

The cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe which has left hundreds dead was caused by the UK, an ally of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has said.

Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu described the outbreak as a “genocidal onslaught on the people of Zimbabwe by the British”.

On Thursday, Mr Mugabe said the spread of cholera had been halted.

But aid workers warned that the situation was worsening and the outbreak could last for months.

In his comments to media in Harare, Mr Ndlovu likened the appearance of cholera in Zimbabwe to a “serious biological chemical weapon” used by the British.

He described it as “a calculated, racist, terrorist attack on Zimbabwe”.

Mr Mugabe has already accused Western powers of plotting to use cholera as an excuse to invade and overthrow him.

Earlier on Friday a senior South African Anglican bishop said that Mr Mugabe should be seen as a “21st Century Hitler”.

Bishop of Pretoria Joe Seoka called on churches to pray for his removal, the South African Press Association reports.

His comments came as the US ambassador to Zimbabwe warned that the country was turning into a “failed state”.

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African Anglicans, Presbyterians and Freemasonry

Youth, Manhood, Old Age

Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi yesterday waded into the dispute over so-called Satanic symbols in Protestant churches with an appeal for caution in judging Freemasons.

The primate sent an indirect appeal to reformists in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa – who have smashed church windows and gates bearing masonic symbols – saying that while Freemasonry was incompatible with Christianity, worshippers should not be emotional about it.

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