Anglican Communion Network
Encyclopedia
The Anglican Communion Network (ACN) (officially the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes) is a theologically conservative network of diocese
s and parish
es working toward Anglican realignment
.
on subjects such as the infallibility of Scripture and sexual morality (especially regarding the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and the blessing of same sex unions), particularly in the USA.
Most of these dioceses and parishes are members of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA), while others are under the jurisdiction of overseas bishops from Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia and other countries.
The ACN also includes a Forward in Faith
convocation of churches, some of which may be in the Continuing Anglican Movement
. As of January 2007, the ACN claims to have the support of 200,000 laity and 2,200 clergy in ten dioceses and 900 congregations in the United States
and Canada
.
attended by several hundred priests and lay leaders, including 12 Episcopal bishop
s. Recently retired Florida Bishop Stephen Hays Jecko
was a leader. Its main intent is to provide a system to supply theologically conservative leadership and church oversight to Anglicans in the United States
and Canada
.
The ACN was formed in response to suggestions by the Archbishop of Canterbury
, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams
, in the wake of the controversy regarding Anglican views of homosexuality
. In the United States the initial controversy was the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson
as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
. At the time of his election, Robinson was openly living with a same-sex partner.
Some issues date back to the adoption of 1979 Book of Common Prayer
. Further controversy followed the election of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
. Statements made by Schori, such as "Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation", have also been disputed.
In Canada the main trigger was the approval of the blessing of same-sex unions by the Diocese of Westminster
, also in 2003. Most of the work in establishing the ACN was performed by the American Anglican Council
, a group of theologically-conservative congregations within the Episcopal Church.
The current ACN Moderator is Robert Duncan
, seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Episcopal Church).
projects throughout Africa
, South America
, and the Middle East
. http://www.anglicanaid.net/what/2006/index.shtml
ARDF is supported by the Church of Nigeria
, the Anglican Church of Kenya
, the Province of South East Asia
, the Church in the Province of the West Indies
, and the Church of the Province of West Africa
. In 2005 over $1.4 million was donated from ARDF.
prior to the November 2006 National Youthworker's Convention hosted by Youth Specialties. During this meeting, speakers inspired participants to get back to the basics of faith
, including instructing youth and children in Biblical literacy. Jack Gabig is the current director of youth and children for the network. He is in the process of providing training for lay and professional youthworkers. Jack has participated in training with St. Timothy's Co-op
.
s of the Episcopal Church that have been part of ACN from the beginning:
Subsequently, the conventions of the dioceses of San Joaquin, Pittsburgh, Quincy, and Fort Worth voted to leave the Episcopal Church. The departing members joined the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone and it is those dioceses which partitipate in the Network. The members of those dioceses remaining in TEC have not indicated any interest in remaining a part of the Network.
, founded in June 2004, is an alliance of several churches and ministries which support ACN. The initial meeting was followed by a gathering in February 2005 which resulted in a Statement of Common Cause Partners in North America
The Common Cause Partners are as follows:
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s and parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
es working toward Anglican realignment
Anglican realignment
The term Anglican realignment refers to a movement among some Anglicans to align themselves under new or alternative oversight within or outside the Anglican Communion. This movement is primarily active in parts of the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada...
.
Goals and structure
Its key preoccupation is adhering to traditional, orthodox Christian doctrine in the Anglican CommunionAnglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
on subjects such as the infallibility of Scripture and sexual morality (especially regarding the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and the blessing of same sex unions), particularly in the USA.
Most of these dioceses and parishes are members of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA), while others are under the jurisdiction of overseas bishops from Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia and other countries.
The ACN also includes a Forward in Faith
Forward in Faith
Forward in Faith is a movement operating in a number of provinces of the Anglican Communion. It represents a traditionalist strand of Anglo-Catholicism and is characterised by its opposition to the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate and, more recently, to more liberal Anglican...
convocation of churches, some of which may be in the Continuing Anglican Movement
Continuing Anglican Movement
The term Continuing Anglican movement refers to a number of churches in various countries that have been formed outside of the Anglican Communion. These churches generally believe that "traditional" forms of Anglican faith and worship have been unacceptably revised or abandoned within some...
. As of January 2007, the ACN claims to have the support of 200,000 laity and 2,200 clergy in ten dioceses and 900 congregations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Origins
The ACN was officially formed in January 2004 at a conference in Plano, TexasPlano, Texas
Plano is a city in the state of Texas, located mostly within Collin County. The city's population was 259,841 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Texas and the 71st most populous city in the United States. Plano is located within the metropolitan area commonly referred to as...
attended by several hundred priests and lay leaders, including 12 Episcopal bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s. Recently retired Florida Bishop Stephen Hays Jecko
Stephen Hays Jecko
The Right Reverend Stephen Hays Jecko was the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Florida and the 892nd bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, a province of the Anglican Communion.-Early years:...
was a leader. Its main intent is to provide a system to supply theologically conservative leadership and church oversight to Anglicans in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The ACN was formed in response to suggestions by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams
Rowan Williams
Rowan Douglas Williams FRSL, FBA, FLSW is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian. He is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury and Primate of All England, offices he has held since early 2003.Williams was previously Bishop of Monmouth and...
, in the wake of the controversy regarding Anglican views of homosexuality
Anglican views of homosexuality
Since the 1990s, the Anglican Communion has struggled with controversy regarding homosexuality in the church. In 1998, the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops passed a resolution stating that homosexual acts are "incompatible with Scripture". In 2002, the Diocese of New Westminster, in the...
. In the United States the initial controversy was the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson
Gene Robinson
Vicki Gene Robinson is the ninth bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Robinson was elected bishop in 2003 and entered office in March 2004...
as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America , covers the entire state of New Hampshire. It was originally part of the Diocese of Massachusetts, but became independent in 1841. The see city is Concord...
. At the time of his election, Robinson was openly living with a same-sex partner.
Some issues date back to the adoption of 1979 Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
. Further controversy followed the election of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori is the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Previously elected as the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, she is the first woman elected as a primate of the Anglican Communion...
. Statements made by Schori, such as "Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation", have also been disputed.
In Canada the main trigger was the approval of the blessing of same-sex unions by the Diocese of Westminster
Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
The Diocese of New Westminster is one of six dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and the Yukon of the Anglican Church of Canada. The See city is Vancouver. The current bishop is the Right Rev. Michael Ingham and the Dean of New Westminster is the Very Rev. Peter Elliott...
, also in 2003. Most of the work in establishing the ACN was performed by the American Anglican Council
American Anglican Council
The American Anglican Council is an organization which exists to allow theologically conservative Anglicans to network with one another. It was incorporated in 1996 and is one of several key organizations in the movement for Anglican realignment and is a founding member of the Anglican Church in...
, a group of theologically-conservative congregations within the Episcopal Church.
The current ACN Moderator is Robert Duncan
Robert Duncan (bishop)
Robert William Duncan, Jr. is an American bishop. He has been Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America since June 2009. In 1997, he was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh...
, seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Episcopal Church).
Anglican Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) was created by the ACN in 2004 to be a support and humanitarian organisation working with Anglicans in the Global South. The ARDF works on multiple Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
projects throughout Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. http://www.anglicanaid.net/what/2006/index.shtml
ARDF is supported by the Church of Nigeria
Church of Nigeria
The Church of Nigeria is the Anglican church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptized membership, after the Church of England. It gives its current membership as "over 18 million", out of a total Nigerian population of 140 million.Since 2002...
, the Anglican Church of Kenya
Anglican Church of Kenya
The Anglican Church of Kenya is part of the Anglican Communion, and includes 30 dioceses. The Primate of the Church is the Archbishop of Kenya.-Official name:...
, the Province of South East Asia
Church of the Province of South East Asia
The Church of the Province of South East Asia, a member church of the Anglican Communion, was created in 1996, comprising the four dioceses of Kuching, Sabah, Singapore and West Malaysia...
, the Church in the Province of the West Indies
Church in the Province of the West Indies
The Church in the Province of the West Indies is a member province in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church comprises eight dioceses spread out over much of the West Indies area. The present position of archbishop and primate of the West Indies is held by The Most Rev. John Holder. The Most...
, and the Church of the Province of West Africa
Church of the Province of West Africa
The Church of the Province of West Africa is a province of the Anglican Communion, covering 15 sees in West Africa, specifically in Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone. The current primate of the province is Archbishop Justice Akrofi.-History:...
. In 2005 over $1.4 million was donated from ARDF.
Youth and children
Youth ministers from Network Dioceses gathered in Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
prior to the November 2006 National Youthworker's Convention hosted by Youth Specialties. During this meeting, speakers inspired participants to get back to the basics of faith
Low church
Low church is a term of distinction in the Church of England or other Anglican churches initially designed to be pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the established church in the 16th and 17th centuries, commentators and others began to refer to those groups...
, including instructing youth and children in Biblical literacy. Jack Gabig is the current director of youth and children for the network. He is in the process of providing training for lay and professional youthworkers. Jack has participated in training with St. Timothy's Co-op
St. Timothy's Co-op
St. Timothy's Co-op is a youth ministry initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The idea for St. Timothy's Co-op came out of weekly prayer meetings of several rectors of parishes in the Diocese. Their idea was that they needed to hire a coach to help their churches develop youth...
.
Network dioceses
These are the dioceseDiocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s of the Episcopal Church that have been part of ACN from the beginning:
- Diocese of AlbanyEpiscopal Diocese of AlbanyThe Episcopal Diocese of Albany is part of Province 2 of the Episcopal Church.-History:The Church of Englandarrived in 1674 with a chaplain assigned to the British military garrison at Albany, New York. In 1704 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel sent two missionaries to the Mohawk...
(N.Y.) - Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Diocese of South Carolina
- Diocese of QuincyEpiscopal Diocese of QuincyThe Diocese of Quincy is an Anglican diocese in western Illinois, United States. It is a founding member of the Anglican Church in North America...
(Ill.IllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
) - Diocese of SpringfieldEpiscopal Diocese of SpringfieldThe Episcopal Diocese of Springfield is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is located in the state of Illinois and includes the area east of the Illinois River and south of the Counties of Woodford, Livingston, Ford, and Iroquois...
(Ill.IllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
) - Diocese of Fort Worth (TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) - Diocese of DallasEpiscopal Diocese of DallasThe Episcopal Diocese of Dallas is a diocese of the Episcopal Church USA which was formed on December 20, 1895, when the Missionary District of Northern Texas was granted diocesan status at the denomination's General Convention the preceding October. The Rt. Rev...
- Diocese of San Joaquin (Calif.CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
)
Subsequently, the conventions of the dioceses of San Joaquin, Pittsburgh, Quincy, and Fort Worth voted to leave the Episcopal Church. The departing members joined the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone and it is those dioceses which partitipate in the Network. The members of those dioceses remaining in TEC have not indicated any interest in remaining a part of the Network.
Support from Anglican churches and ministries
The Common Cause PartnershipCommon Cause Partnership
The Anglican Church in North America is a Christian denomination in the Anglican tradition with 21 dioceses in the United States and Canada. The church reports that it has 987 congregations serving more than 100,000 Christians in North America. In 2009, the Most Reverend Robert Duncan was elected...
, founded in June 2004, is an alliance of several churches and ministries which support ACN. The initial meeting was followed by a gathering in February 2005 which resulted in a Statement of Common Cause Partners in North America
The Common Cause Partners are as follows:
- American Anglican CouncilAmerican Anglican CouncilThe American Anglican Council is an organization which exists to allow theologically conservative Anglicans to network with one another. It was incorporated in 1996 and is one of several key organizations in the movement for Anglican realignment and is a founding member of the Anglican Church in...
- Anglican Coalition in CanadaAnglican Coalition in CanadaThe Anglican Coalition in Canada is a Canadian Anglican group that is part of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.It is under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda. Many of the 17 congregations used to be in the Diocese of New Westminster; Others are located in Vancouver...
- Anglican Mission in AmericaAnglican Mission in AmericaThe Anglican Mission in the Americas or The Anglican Mission ; formerly Anglican Mission in America is a Christian missionary organization active in the United States and Canada which emphasizes church planting...
- Anglican Network in CanadaAnglican Network in CanadaThe Anglican Network in Canada is a Canadian church established in 2005 under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, a province of the Anglican Communion...
- Anglican Province of AmericaAnglican Province of AmericaThe Anglican Province of America is one of a number of "Continuing" Anglican churches in the United States. This church considers the Episcopal Church in the USA to be heretical, thus it maintains a church separate from that body in order to follow what it considers to be a truly Christian and...
- Convocation of Anglicans in North AmericaConvocation of Anglicans in North AmericaThe Convocation of Anglicans in North America is an Anglican body in the United States primarily comprising Anglican and Episcopal churches that have disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America . CANA was initially a missionary initiative of the Anglican Church of Nigeria...
- Forward in FaithForward in FaithForward in Faith is a movement operating in a number of provinces of the Anglican Communion. It represents a traditionalist strand of Anglo-Catholicism and is characterised by its opposition to the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate and, more recently, to more liberal Anglican...
North America - Reformed Episcopal ChurchReformed Episcopal ChurchThe Reformed Episcopal Church is an Anglican church in the United States and Canada and a founding member of the Anglican Church in North America...
Ecumenical relations
In a 2005 meeting, the ACN requested that its moderator send a letter to Pope Benedict XVI in order to express its greetings and support for upholding the historic teaching and faith of the Church.See also
- Anglican realignmentAnglican realignmentThe term Anglican realignment refers to a movement among some Anglicans to align themselves under new or alternative oversight within or outside the Anglican Communion. This movement is primarily active in parts of the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada...
- Anglican CommunionAnglican CommunionThe Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
- Anglican Coalition in CanadaAnglican Coalition in CanadaThe Anglican Coalition in Canada is a Canadian Anglican group that is part of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.It is under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda. Many of the 17 congregations used to be in the Diocese of New Westminster; Others are located in Vancouver...
- Anglican Mission in AmericaAnglican Mission in AmericaThe Anglican Mission in the Americas or The Anglican Mission ; formerly Anglican Mission in America is a Christian missionary organization active in the United States and Canada which emphasizes church planting...
- Anglican Network in CanadaAnglican Network in CanadaThe Anglican Network in Canada is a Canadian church established in 2005 under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, a province of the Anglican Communion...
- Anglican views of homosexualityAnglican views of homosexualitySince the 1990s, the Anglican Communion has struggled with controversy regarding homosexuality in the church. In 1998, the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops passed a resolution stating that homosexual acts are "incompatible with Scripture". In 2002, the Diocese of New Westminster, in the...
- Confessing MovementConfessing MovementThe Confessing Movement is an Evangelical movement within several mainline Protestant denominations to return those churches to what the members of the movement see as theological orthodoxy....
- Continuing Anglican MovementContinuing Anglican MovementThe term Continuing Anglican movement refers to a number of churches in various countries that have been formed outside of the Anglican Communion. These churches generally believe that "traditional" forms of Anglican faith and worship have been unacceptably revised or abandoned within some...