Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Parse this

Also from the Communique recommendations -
On property disputes

The Primates urge the representatives of The Episcopal Church and of those congregations in property disputes with it to suspend all actions in law arising in this situation. We also urge both parties to give assurances that no steps will be taken to alienate property from The Episcopal Church without its consent or to deny the use of that property to those congregations.
Bishop Minns (CANA) gives this spin:
Bishop Martyn Minns of CANA has said “I am pleased that the Anglican Communion leadership has recognised the serious break in the Episcopal Church and that CANA and AMiA are valid expressions of Anglican life and need to be part of the solution. The Primates are saying that all legal action should stop. I hope so. The Presiding Bishop initiated the legal actions and she has signed on to a document that says she will.”
Surely you jest. (1) Slipping from "urge" to "should" easily allows the false meaning "must" that "urge" does not, (2) the Communique speaks of alienation of property of The Episcopal Church implying that the CANA congregations are in property owned by TEC, (3) the CANA congregations are using that property -- it is they who are denying use by the faithful remnants, (4) the CANA congregations have also initiated "actions in law"and (5) Akinola also signed the agreement.

Regarding CANA being part of the solution, all the Communique says of CANA is this:
Although there are particular difficulties associated with AMiA and CANA, the Pastoral Council should negotiate with them and the Primates currently ministering to them to find a place for them within these provisions. We believe that with goodwill this may be possible.
And what provisions are these?
[S]tructures for pastoral care be established in conjunction with the Pastoral Council, to enable such individuals, congregations and clergy to exercise their ministries and congregational life within The Episcopal Church....
My emphasis.

Is Bishop Minns prepared for the CANA congregations to return to the fold of The Episcopal Church?

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