MCU Press Releases as at December 2006
Reform to separate from the Church of England?
A Newspaper report in the Sunday Telegraph (by Jonathan Wynne-Jones, 10/12/06) suggested that Evangelicals linked with Reform was proposing to sever links from those they regarded as Liberal bishops.
The article stated they were making their own arrangements with retired bishops to provide Reform parishes with alternative episcopal oversight.
They met Archbishop Rowan on December 12th and their press release following the meeting (entitled A Covenant for the Church of England) is here. (They say this "is not a Reform press release as such but a press release by a wide group of Evangelical and Charismatic members of the Church of England with the support of a number of Anglo-Catholic leaders.")
Fulcrum have issued a very critical response to this initiative. And on the same website Bp Tom Wright expresses his disagreement and sense of betrayal.
This is MCU's press release after the initial article. InclusiveChurch's response is here.
MCU Press Release 13 December 2006
The latest attempt by a group of conservative evangelical clerics to split the Church of England over the issue of gay priests is not just a threat to the church but to the nation, says the MCU (Modern Churchpeople's Union).
A weekend press report suggests that a rebel group of clergy, losing patience with the Archbishop of Canterbury's perceived prevarication over the issue of homosexuality, want not only to break off relations with liberal bishops and set up alternative pastoral oversight, but actively bar those bishops from churches in their own diocese.
"If the report is true, and so far there has been no denial, then we believe not just the church but the whole country should be alarmed," said MCU general secretary, Jonathan Clatworthy.
"The Church of England is open to everyone. That, surely, is its strength. What does it say about the place of the church in society if bishops of all people, who have pastoral care of their flock, are to be banned from crossing the threshold? It is a very slippery slope. Once you say 'you can't come in because we don't agree with your views' – on whatever topic – you are saying in effect that that person is not worthy of a place at the altar. We think this is a potentially dangerous and divisive precedent, with implications for everyone, Christian or not, who wants to come to church."
The rebel clerics are reported to be asking for a panel of conservatively-inclined retired bishops opposed to the 'marriage' of homosexual priests, to provide pastoral care of churches in a diocese where the bishop has more liberal views.
Says Jonathan: "There seems to be an assumption that if only they can create a safe place, away from liberals and gays, they can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with their lives.
"Yet history shows that splits like this just lead to further schism. The current issue is homosexuality, but the pace of change in society means inevitably that something else will come along in due course, and cause further division. It happens – unless you accept that church is the place where you can air your differences, but still love your neighbour. If that isn't at the heart of the Christian message, I don't know what is."