CofE concerns
The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) is bracing itself for tough times ahead in the Church of England (CofE).
In a statement presented by Bishop John Ellison, chairman of the FCA UK Panel of Bishops and Rev. Paul Perkin, chairman of the FCA for UK and Ireland, the FCA warned of possible divergences within the CofE on two matters.
The first is the church’s position regarding issues of marriage and sexuality. The second is the provision or not for the inclusion of those who hold to traditional understandings of the Bible on matters of ministry.
In its statement the FCA said, ‘We have confirmed the principle that orthodox Anglicans who, despite repeated efforts, cannot receive oversight in the CofE can continue to belong together with other orthodox Anglicans and minister with recognition within the global Anglican Communion.
‘The FCA in this region is a fellowship of those anywhere in the UK and Ireland, including the Diocese of Europe, who can affirm the Jerusalem Declaration.
‘Within it, the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) is not an institution, but a framework that is taking shape as it responds to those needing to receive help in their own dioceses’.
AMiE has two particular features: it is a registered mission society dedicated to support growing and planting churches, and providing ministers and oversight for those churches. It also has a panel of bishops authorised by the FCA Primates Council to provide that oversight.
The statement continued: ‘The Primates of the FCA have assured us that, through instruments now available in this country, including the panel of bishops of AMiE and the FCA UK, those who might otherwise have been under pressure to leave the CofE can remain within the family of global Anglicanism and be recognised by that body as faithful to the CofE itself.
‘We pledge our support for all those who are orthodox in faith, who are experiencing pressure, and who wish to continue as Anglicans with international affirmation from the worldwide Anglican church’.
