Archbishop Ernest of the Province of the Indian Ocean, alongside Archbishops Mouneer Anis of Egypt and Henry Orombi of Uganda, has written a candid letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, expressing deep concern over the ongoing crisis within the Anglican Communion. In his letter, Archbishop Ernest emphasizes his unwavering commitment to the unity and vitality of the Communion, while also voicing frustration over the continued actions of The Episcopal Church (TEC).
Commitment to the Anglican Communion
Archbishop Ernest begins by reaffirming his dedication to the Anglican Communion and its mission. He acknowledges the efforts made by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other leaders to address the ongoing crisis and bring clarity to the Communion’s direction. However, he highlights a growing concern among the faithful in his region, who are increasingly distressed by what they perceive as TEC’s disregard for the broader Communion’s concerns and decisions.
Criticism of The Episcopal Church
The Archbishop criticizes TEC for its perceived disregard of the Communion’s collective decisions, particularly those made by the Primates. He notes that despite numerous attempts at dialogue, patience, and hope for transformation, TEC has continued to pursue actions that are seen as being in direct conflict with the teachings of the Bible and the consensus of the global Anglican community.
Archbishop Ernest specifically references TEC’s intention to proceed with the consecration of a second bishop in a same-sex relationship, a decision that has caused significant division within the Communion. He expresses disappointment that TEC seems committed to a path that ignores the concerns of the global Anglican community, stating that this course of action reflects the will of a majority within TEC rather than a commitment to the unity of the wider Church.
Suspension of Communion with TEC and ACC
In response to TEC’s actions, Archbishop Ernest declares that he feels morally obligated to suspend all forms of communication, both verbal and sacramental, with TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). This suspension, he clarifies, does not extend to those within these churches who have distanced themselves from TEC’s theological direction, such as members of the Communion Partners group.
Call for Structural Reform
Archbishop Ernest aligns himself with Archbishops Anis and Orombi in calling for a significant overhaul of the Anglican Communion’s structures. He argues that the current structures do not reflect the demographic realities of the Communion, where over 80% of Anglicans now reside in the Global South. He supports the adoption of the Anglican Covenant as a means to restore the Communion’s focus and integrity but stresses that the credibility of the overseeing structures must also be addressed.
Demand for a Primates Meeting
Archbishop Ernest joins Archbishop Henry Orombi in calling for a Primates meeting, with the condition that the Primates of TEC and ACC are excluded. He insists that the agenda for this meeting must be set with input from the Primates, reflecting the concerns of the Global South.
A Plea for Decisive Action
In closing, Archbishop Ernest urges the Archbishop of Canterbury to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further disintegration of the Anglican Communion. He warns that failure to address the crisis could lead to even deeper chaos and division within the global Church.