A Pastoral Statement from the Bishops of CANA to the Clergy and Congregations of CANA

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The bishops discussed a recent decision of the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, making provision for the creation of CANA missionary dioceses in North America. CANA’s Chancellor, Scott Ward, Esq., briefed the bishops on progress towards the formal inauguration of the Missionary Diocese of the Trinity which is to be led by Bishop Amos Fagbamiye.

Bishop Derek Jones reported on the rapid growth of the Chaplains Deanery and the significant ministry of military and civilian chaplains. The ministry of the Deanery for the Chaplaincy is to endorse and support chaplains in the US military, federal and local government, hospital and hospice, and other volunteers serving their communities.

The bishops rejoiced in the recent creation of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic where many clergy and congregations continue in their relationship with CANA. While acknowledging that the concept of ‘dual citizenship’ continues to raise some questions we heard a number of testimonies from those who have embraced this gracious provision and celebrate this opportunity for a direct connection to the Anglican Communion through the Church of Nigeria. We believe that this can only strengthen the ongoing work of ACNA in its determination to demonstrate the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout North America.


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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) • Anglican Provinces • Church of Nigeria • CANA • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry

5 Comments
Posted December 21, 2011 at 5:46 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Terry Tee wrote:

Am I the only one to be troubled by the increasing use of the word gracious in questionable ways?  It seems to pop up increasingly in situations of division, disagreement and assertiveness.  Perhaps there should be a moratorium on this word which seems used to blanket and obscure what are often quite painful dilemmas.

December 21, 9:43 am | [comment link]
2. Don C wrote:

While I realize that most ACNA clergy have their orders in other provinces, I’m still puzzled as to why CANA is expanding rather than being phased out. Weren’t the Global South jurisdictions supposed to be temporary?

Also, I’m completely baffled as to why Derek Jones’ CEEC episcopi vagantes orders were accepted by ACNA (and Nigeria!) in clear violation of Lambeth 1958 Resolution 54.

December 21, 2:29 pm | [comment link]
3. David Keller wrote:

#2—I don’t have any idea about the technical issue you are talking about but I do know this;  if Lambeth resolutuions were even worth the paper they are printed on, all but two or three TEC bishops would alreday have been ex-communicated

December 21, 5:53 pm | [comment link]
4. Don C wrote:

David,

I beat this dead horse previously here but to sum it up, Bishop Jones should have been conditionally ordained/consecrated. While I agree with you about certain EC(USA) bishops, if ACNA wants to be accepted as a province it would be in their best interest to follow previous Lambeth resolutions.

Have you any thoughts on the expansion of CANA?

December 21, 6:40 pm | [comment link]
5. evan miller wrote:

Don C.,

I agree with you about the expansion of CANA.  The proliferation and expansion of “jurisdictions” within ACNA is problematic and not at all conducive to the sort of unity that one would hope for in a new orthodox province.  Too many fiefdoms.

December 27, 3:59 pm | [comment link]
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