AnglicanTV interview with Archbishop Henry Orombi, Uganda

From AnglicanTV, my interview with Archbishop Henry Orombi:

[Okay, I did a really silly thing which you will hear at the beginning of this interview. I started off by asking Archbishop Orombi about the Buddo Girls School fire that happened in April and the ongoing recovery efforts.

About twenty seconds into his answer, I realized that I had forgotten to turn the camera on, so the interview starts with him somewhat in the middle of his answer. (Mea culpa, but since I am camera crew, interviewer, and producer all in one, there is no one besides myself to fire, and I decided the most appropriate censure for this lapse is a stern warning not to let this happen again – so consider me warned!)]

So, here is my interview with the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Uganda, for AnglicanTV, held Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. James Anglican, Newport Beach, California. It runs about 30 minutes.

Areas covered:

• An update on the Buddo Girls School fire and recovery


• Anglican Men's Retreat (an annual event, held this past weekend in southern California)


• Moses, Joshua, and Caleb


• Thoughts on Bishop Bob Duncan, Diocese of Pittsburgh


• The Dar-Es-Salaam Communiqué Sept. 30 deadline


• Lambeth 2008


• GAFCON


• The Anglican Covenant


• The recent exchange of letters with the Presiding Bishop on his visit to Savannah


• Rick Warren and his gift of networking


• Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury


• A message for the American orthodox

AAC weekly message from Bishop David Anderson

Via email [boldface mine]:

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

This week let me begin with a personal praise report. My grandson Palmer has this week passed his five year cancer-free date, and the doctors have pronounced him cured. It was a long battle and at several time we worried that we might lose him, but the prayers of thousands around the world and the Grace of God preserved and healed him. He has no cognitive damage, nor any physical impairment that we can ascertain. He is very intelligent, very loving, and a good soccer player. To God be the glory.

We note the letter of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to Archbishop and Primate Henry Orombi telling him to stay out of "her domain." She of course sent a copy to Bishop Henry Louttit, who is under pressure to continue litigation against Christ Church, Savannah, the Mother Church of all Georgia and the Rev. John Wesley's American parish. She also sent a copy to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The interesting thing is she waited to notify Orombi until he was already within a stone's throw of Georgia, leaving him to discover her letter posted on the Internet. It is clear that this was ninety percent theatrics on the part of Schori.

What is quite remarkable is the response from His Grace, Henry Orombi, to Jefferts Schori, pointing out that he is not visiting one of her churches, but rather one of his own! The problem is that TEC doesn't recognize anyone's ability to leave TEC. Like a pitcher plant, once you have alighted on the great blossom, you are stuck fast, never to be free again... except, in the real world of churches, anyone and everyone is able to vote with their voice, with their wallet, and finally, with their feet.

Continuing this theme of the "Hotel California" where "you can check out but you can never leave," Bishop Rob O'Neill has pulled a new dirty trick out of TEC's bag of scurrilous actions. According to journalist David Virtue, who is covering the story, seven years ago then-Bishop Winterrowd legally transferred clergy out of Colorado and into the Province of South East Asia by Letters Dimissory. This international transferability of Holy Orders has been a keystone of the Anglican Communion. Now seven years later, the current bishop, Rob O'Neill, has decided to void those legal transfers and canonically depose those clergy for "abandonment of communion of this Church." Do you remember the book "Alice in Wonderland"? That is what it is like living either in the Episcopal Church, or even next door to it. The meanness and fear which these punitive actions show is evidence of how afraid TEC is of the growing orthodox Anglican presence around the nation. The Anglican Church of Canada, similarly fearful, is commencing like-minded retribution against those who have left or are trying to leave.

On the international scene, we remember that it was only a few weeks ago that the Rt. Rev. Tom Wright, was telling everyone that a "get tough" letter was coming from Lambeth Palace to the TEC bishops who didn't support the Covenant and were part of the group who consecrated Gene Robinson. Many of us wondered whether Tom Wright was going to be "wrong again" or whether, given his close contact with Lambeth, maybe he was onto something - or then again, maybe he was being used. The long-awaited Lambeth Letter has come out, and it is a "cream puff" of a letter. What went wrong? Why did Wright get it wrong?

Bishop Tom may have gotten it right to start with, but when a large number of liberal revisionist English bishops told Rowan Williams that if he excluded those Americans, they wouldn't come either, it appears that the Primate of Primates caved in and changed the letter. Tom Wright was left with the ground cut out from under him. Wright could have gotten it right if the left hadn't muscled in. Apparently, the revisionist English bishops are less afraid of pushing back than their orthodox colleagues; why is that?

Lastly, we have received word that the gay and lesbian advocacy groups are planning a major assault on the Lambeth Conference, and are raising money to finance it. Information can be found here. The stage is being set for a media and public relations battle at Canterbury as well as an attempt to sway the bishops present. Things do not look very pretty for Lambeth.

In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we worship our God, three in one. Have a blessed Trinity Sunday and weekend.

The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council

Archbishop Orombi responds to the Presiding Bishop (and MCJ fisks it well)

From Stand Firm (and once again, as with +Gregory Venables, the PB sent the letter out into the ethernet before sending it to the named recipient - what is that about?) [boldface mine]:

14th May 2008

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
The Episcopal Church USA
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY

Dear Bishop Katharine,

I received word of your letter through a colleague who had seen it on the internet. Without the internet, I may never have known that you had written such a personal, yet sadly ironic, letter to me.

Unfortunately, you appear to have been misinformed about key matters, which I hope to clear up in this letter.

1. I am not visiting a church in the Diocese of Georgia. I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda. Were I to visit a congregation within TEC, I would certainly observe the courtesy of contacting the local bishop. Since, however, I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda, I feel very free to visit them and encourage them through the Word of God.

2. The reason this congregation separated from TEC and is now part of the Church of Uganda is that the actions of TEC's General Convention and statements of duly elected TEC leaders and representatives indicate that TEC has abandoned the historic Christian faith. Furthermore, as predicted by the Primates of the Anglican Communion in October 2003, TEC's actions have, in fact, torn the fabric of the Communion at its deepest level.

3. May I remind you that the initial reason the Lambeth Commission on Communion was appointed was because of unbiblical decisions taken by TEC in defiance of repeated warnings by all of the Anglican Instruments of Communion. The Windsor Report was produced and accepted in amended form by the Primates at our meeting in Dromantine, Northern Ireland, in February 2005. It is, therefore, quite ironic for you to be quoting the Windsor Report to me. Nowhere in the Windsor Report or in subsequent statements of the Instruments of Communion is there a moral equivalence between the unbiblical actions and decisions of TEC that have torn the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level and the pastoral response on our part to provide ecclesiastical oversight to American congregations who wish to continue to uphold the faith once delivered to the saints and remain a part of the Anglican Communion. Your selective quoting of the Windsor Report is stunning in its arrogance and condescension.

4. You and your House of Bishops rejected outright the Pastoral Scheme painstakingly devised in Dar es Salaam, and to which you agreed. You have, therefore, left us no choice but to continue to respond to the cries of God's faithful people in America for episcopal oversight that upholds and promotes historic, biblical Anglicanism.

5. An important element of the Dar es Salaam agreement was the plea by the Primates that "the representatives of The Episcopal Church and of those congregations in property disputes with it to suspend all actions in law arising in this situation." This was something to which you gave verbal assent and yet you have initiated more legal actions against congregations and clergy in your short tenure as Presiding Bishop than all of your predecessors combined. I urge you to rethink, suspend litigation and follow a more Christ-like approach to settling your differences.

Finally, I appeal to you to heed the advice of Gamaliel in Acts 5.38ff, "Leave these [churches] alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop [them]; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Yours, in Christ,
The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

Check it out. And in the comments at Stand Firm, a report from the rector of Christ Church Savannah, Marc Robertson, on Archbishop Orombi's visit:

Dear Saints:

It is my pleasure to report to you the visit of His Grace, Henry Luke Orombi, to Christ Church, Savannah. The Archbishop enjoyed our hospitality, dined with lay leadership and our staff, toured our city, and enjoyed breakfast with our Vestry.

Wednesday evening, we enjoyed a wonderful reception in Johnson Square, blessed by beautiful weather and a good turnout. The Archbishop addressed our congregation for approximately one hour, and encouraged us from Luke 8:22-39. Approximately 320 were in attendance (the meeting was open to the public). The exercise of his pastoral leadership, encouragement, love, and biblical guidance were an enormous encouragement to us and to many others.

After his address, the congregation was dismissed, but an invitation was made for those who wished to receive prayer and ministry at the Lord’s altar to come forward after the closing hymn. Over twenty people responded, and this ministry continued for almost another hour. Our hearts are full and our souls are refreshed. We give thanks to God for His grace poured out upon us through the godly leader.—Marc Robertson, Rector

And, of course, don't miss the letter fisking courtesy of Christopher Johnson:

Henry Orombi responds to Katharine Jefferts Schori. First off, missy, do they have a postal service where you come from?

I received word of your letter through a colleague who had seen it on the internet. Without the internet, I may never have known that you had written such a personal, yet sadly ironic, letter to me.

I'm curious about something. Did the Pope need John Chane's permission to hold his recent Washington Mass? Speaking of which, they had a great turnout for that thing, didn't they? That's got to be, what, eight or nine years ASA for your organization.

I am not visiting a church in the Diocese of Georgia. I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda. Were I to visit a congregation within TEC, I would certainly observe the courtesy of contacting the local bishop. Since, however, I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda, I feel very free to visit them and encourage them through the Word of God. . .

++Orombi to visit Christ Church Savannah this week

And a follow-up from Christ Church to the posting below, here's more on Archbishop Orombi's visit to Savannah from the church newsletter:

Archbishop Henry Orombi to visit Christ Church

Wednesday, May 14

Archbishop Henry Orombi will be making a visit to Christ Church on Wednesday May 14. We will host a buffet reception in Johnson Square at 6 p.m. to be followed by a worship service at 7 p.m. in the church. Archbishop Orombi will be teaching us on Christian Courage.

This is an exciting opportunity you will not want to miss. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors!

This is right before the Anglican Men's Weekend in southern California that the archbishop is also attending, and the theme for that weekend is also "Courage."

If you can make either of these events, you should make every effort - Archbishop Orombi is a captivating and Spirit-filled teacher!

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From EpiscopalLife Online, +KJS's letter to Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of Uganda [boldface mine]:

May 12, 2008

The Most Revd Henry Luke Orombi
Archbishop of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala
PO Box 14123
Kampala
UGANDA
EAST AFRICA

My dear brother,

I understand from advertising here that you plan to visit a congregation in the Diocese of Georgia on 14 May of this year. The diocesan, Bishop Henry Louttit, has not given any invitation for you to do so, nor received any information from you about your planned visit. I must protest this unwarranted incursion into The Episcopal Church. I am concerned that you seem to feel it appropriate to visit, preach, and exercise episcopal ministry within the territory of this Church, and I wonder how you would receive similar behavior in Uganda. These actions violate the spirit and letter of the work of the Windsor Report, and only lead to heightened tensions. We are more than willing to receive you for conversation, dialogue, and reconciliation, yet you continue to act without speaking with us. I hope and pray that you might respond to our invitation and meet with representatives of this Church.

I remain

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

cc: Bishop Henry Louttit
Archbishop Rowan Williams

Funny, I thought the Primates did speak - at Dar-Es-Salaam, and were ignored.

And the accompanying news story [boldface mine]:

Archbishop of Uganda Henry Orombi's actions to visit a Savannah congregation on May 14 without the invitation of Episcopal Bishop of Georgia Henry Louttit "violate the spirit and letter of the work of the Windsor Report, and only lead to heightened tensions," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori wrote in a May 12 letter to Orombi. . .

According to reports, Orombi plans to meet May 14 with clergy and laity who voted in October 2007 to disaffiliate with the Episcopal Church. The group continues to occupy historic Christ Church, Savannah, while the continuing Episcopal congregation meets at Savannah's Church of St. Michael and All Angels. Christ Church, Savannah, dates from 1733.

So, ++Orombi is meeting with an Anglican church that is not part of the Diocese of Georgia. I don't see the problem here, but read it all.

Anglican Communion Network announces conference

Via email:

Join the ACN's Southeastern Convocation for its upcoming conference "Common Cause: Working Together in Mission and Ministry" April 17-19 at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Loganville, GA ($90). Bishop Robert Duncan, ACN and Common Cause Moderator, will begin the conference Thursday evening by sharing the broad vision of the Common Cause Partnership followed by Jenny Noyes, ACN Director of Evangelism, sharing testimonies of grass roots cooperation among the Common Cause Anglicans.

On Friday morning, Bishops Alex Dickson, David Anderson, and John Rodgers will join other Common Cause leaders in a panel discussion on the work that God is doing in raising up Common Cause "clusters" (churches that can effectively partner together at local levels) throughout the country. The workshops and networking time will help equip you with ministry tools to play your part in rebuilding His Kingdom through vibrant Anglican churches.

The Rev. Tom Herrick, Executive Director of the Titus Institute, will present a pre-conference training day on church planting ($85) on Thursday from 8:30 to 4:30. Go to www.regonline.com/seccommoncause for conference details and to register. Discounts available for groups of three or more for the pre-conference and for students/seminarians for both conferences.

The Rev. Jim McCaslin, Dean of the Southeastern Convocation, invites you to join him at this conference for 'the calling of God to us seems clear: Rebuild my Church from the bottom up working together in mission and ministry because the Cause that I am giving you in Common is taking the saving Good News of Jesus to a lost and hurting world.'

Yours in Jesus,

The Rev. Canon Daryl Fenton
Chief Operating Officer
Anglican Communion Network

Marc Robertson: What should we do? What God has done

From the Savannah News, an opinion piece by the Rev. Marc Robertson, rector of Christ Church Savannanh, in response to an earlier piece by Kevin Clark:

. . . [Kevin Clark's] column goes on to present Jesus as a great example for us to follow. He is presented as a "rebel" and a "liberal street activist" who spurned all forms of institutional religion and set forth metaphysical principles for us to follow.

I would question whether this picture of Jesus is accurate or balanced on a number of fronts, but the most important aspect to consider is Jesus' primary role as a moral example. If Jesus came to be an example to humanity, it would appear from Kevin's own assessment mentioned above that Jesus failed in His mission.
But what if His mission was different?

Maybe what we need is not just an example. If Jesus was only an example, then it all depends on what we do. It is all up to us to "live up to" that incredible example, and that can lead us to frustration, disappointment, even despair.

But what if Jesus was not only an example, but also a sacrifice? And this sacrifice can restore us to God, heal our woundedness, and actually give us a new heart - a heart that can learn to love? If Jesus came to be a sacrifice, then it's not about what we do, but about what God has already done - what God has done on the cross on Good Friday.

Moreover, it is the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave that we celebrate on Easter that confirms God's authority and power to transform an unloving and broken heart.

It is our greatest sorrow that The Episcopal Church will not affirm Jesus as God's unique sacrifice for our salvation. In 2003, at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, the House of Bishops failed to pass resolution B002, which affirmed the Holy Scriptures as "containing all things necessary to salvation," the historic Creeds, and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (by a vote of 84 "no" to 65 "yes," and eight abstentions).

In 2006, additional efforts to affirm Christ's sacrifice (resolution D058) were refused consideration, and a resolution affirming the Bible as the Church's "supreme authority" (resolution D069) also failed as presented. We believe such fundamental beliefs define us as Christians, and offer us the hope of a world transformed by Christ's sacrifice, and as such have taken careful and considered action to preserve this hope by aligning ourselves with an Anglican Province (Uganda) that will support us and encourage us in this mission, while maintaining continuity with our Anglican past. . .

Read it all.

Christ Church Savannah votes to leave ECUSA, continue in Anglican Communion

From TitusOneNine:

October 14, 2007- Savannah, GA. By a decisive margin of 87% the congregation of historic Christ Church voted overwhelmingly to affirm the vestry’s September 30, 2007 decision to place itself under the pastoral care of The Rt. Reverend John Guernsey, Rector of All Saint’s Church in Woodbridge, VA and a bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion’s province of Uganda, Africa. The action followed a prolonged process of disciplined prayer and discernment.

“It saddens us that The Episcopal Church (TEC) has chosen to walk apart from the rest of the Communion. We have been an Anglican parish since the founding of the Colony of Georgia, and it is important to us that we continue to participate as members in good standing with the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion,” said Steve Dantin, Senior Warden.

TEC, the U.S. “branch” or province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, received a final call from the Anglican Communion to return to orthodox Christianity and to signify the same by taking certain actions no later than September 30, 2007. TEC failed to comply, and thus it abandoned the communion previously existing between TEC (including the Diocese of Georgia) and Christ Church. Therefore, Christ Church appealed to Bishop Guernsey and Archbishop Orombi for their pastoral care and oversight, which has been granted.

“This has been a long and arduous journey,” said Dantin. “It was gratifying to see the large number of parishioners participate in this process. Our congregation has spoken clearly.”. . .

Read it all.

Bishop Louttit: Christ Church Savannah dispute will go to court

From the Savannah Morning News:

A meeting meant for current members of Christ Church drew mostly former parishioners and other local Episcopalians to discuss the decision by leaders of the historic congregation to break away from the national Episcopal Church.

Bishop Henry I. Louttit led a 45-minute question-and-answer session Sunday after a special Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Episcopal Church at 34th and Abercorn streets.

About 150 lay people and priests attended. Many took turns offering words of support to the bishop and the Diocese of Georgia, as well as posing questions about who controls Christ Church's downtown property.

The bishop assured the group that Christ Church belongs to the diocese and the national Episcopal Church. But taking control of the building, endowment and other assets will involve lawyers, he said.

"(Christ Church officials) are in the building. Therefore, they will be in the building until this issue comes to the courts," Louttit said.

Other participants voiced concern for the current Christ Church members who don't support the split.

Last week, Christ Church leaders announced the 274-year-old congregation is joining the Anglican Communion's Province of Uganda, Africa, saying the Episcopal Church of the U.S. "has separated itself from the historic Christian faith over the last few decades."

Church leaders say the historic church and its downtown properties belong to the congregation, while the bishop over the Diocese of Georgia says church policy states the church and its properties belong to the diocese and the national Episcopal Church.

Louttit called on current members opposed to the split to contact his office. The bishop said he plans to provide the new congregation with a temporary place to worship and a new priest if at least 25 people sign up. . .

Read it all.

More info from Christ Church Savannah

Christ Church Savannah has posted the most recent statement by their rector, The Rev. Marcus Robertson, regarding his conversations and actions with Bishop Louttit on their website. They also have posted their Statement of Affirmation and correspondence between the Diocesan Chancellor , Bishop Louttit and Christ Church.

H/t to Stand Firm.

Diocese of Georgia fails to notify clergy of action

From Jackie Bruchi at Stand Firm [boldface mine]:

On information from a commenter (thank you oscewicee!) we posted notices of Renunciation of Ordained Ministry of two priests by Bishop Louttit of the Diocese of Georgia and the revocation of licenses to officiate of the Rev. Layne Hansen and Deacon Greg Malleys, both canonically resident in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. This is the content of the email that was received with the documents attached.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqui Belcher
To: 'Belcher, Jacqui'
Sent: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 12:45 pm
Subject: JRB: renunciation notice

Please find attached, the pronouncements of renunciations on Marcus Robertson and Sara Lufburrow.

Bishop Louttit has also, in light of the current action, revoked Layne Hansen's and Dcn Greg Malley's licenses to officiate and so notified their bishop, Robert Wm Duncan (Pittsburgh).

Jacqueline R. Belcher
Communications Officer & Registrar
The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
611 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401-1296
(912) 236-4279 Voice / (912) 236-2007 Fax
www.georgia.anglican.org
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.
George Washington's farewell address, Sept 17, 1796

Since posting this I have been contacted by Christ Church, Savannah asking for confirmation as they have not been notified by the Bishop or his office of such action. Additionally, the chancellor for the Rev. Marcus Robertson contacted me with a similar request as he had also not been notified. Further, the chancellor advised that the Rev. Robertson specifically told Bishop Loutitt that he was NOT renouncing his orders.

We at Stand Firm feel our job is to bring you news that concerns the Anglican world as fast as we can but as responsbily as we can. We are deeply distressed that the Diocese did not notify the indivdiuals affected by the actions prior to sending it out via email to members of the diocese. It is also distressing that the Diocese misrepresented the actions of the Rev. Robertson. To the Rev. Robertson, the Rev. Lufburrow, the Rev. Hansen and Deacon Malleys, please know that it was not our intent to cause you any distress. We deeply regret that the Diocese failed to extend even common courtesy in this matter.

Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and wish you Godspeed in your new ministry.

Diocese of Georgia bishop takes action against four priests

From Stand Firm:

The Episcopal Church The Diocese of Georgia
RENUNCIATION of the ORDAINED MINISTRY of a PRIEST of The EPISCOPAL CHURCH ECUSA
Canon III.9.8 (2006)

To the Presiding Bishop and Ecclesiastical Authorities of the Episcopal Church

Having received in writing a resolution dated September 30, 2007, in which Marcus B. Robertson places himself under the ecclesiastical authority of a province outside The Episcopal Church, thereby renouncing his ordained Ministry in The Episcopal Church, and with the advice and consent of the clerical members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, I pronounce that the said renunciation is hereby accepted. Marcus B. Robertson is herewith released from the obligation of the Ministerial office and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. This action is taken for causes that do not affect his moral character.

Dated this 3 rd Day of October, 2007
The Rt. Rev.) Henry I. Louttit Bishop of Georgia
Copies to: The Reverend Marcus B. Robertson
The Recorder of Ordinations & The Church Pension Fund
The Clergy and Senior Wardens of the Diocese
The Secretary of Convention
The Diocesan Standing Committee
The Church Deployment Office
611 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401-1296
(912) 236-4279 Voice (912) 236-2007 Fax
DioceseGA@att.net http://www.georgia.anglican.org

and

The Episcopal Church The Diocese of Georgia
RENUNCIATION of the ORDAINED MINISTRY of a DEACON of The EPISCOPAL CHURCH ECUSA
Canon III.7.8 (2006)

To the Presiding Bishop and Ecclesiastical Authorities of the Episcopal Church

Having this day received in writing from Sara (Sally) D. Lufburrow notice that she has placed herself under the ecclesiastical authority of a province outside The Episcopal Church, thereby renouncing her ordained Ministry in The Episcopal Church, and upon the advice and consent of the clerical members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, I pronounce that the said renunciation is hereby accepted. Sara (Sally) D. Lufburrow is herewith released from the obligation of the Ministerial office and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. This action was taken for causes that do not affect her moral character.

Dated this 3 rd Day of October, 2007
(The Rt. Rev.) Henry I. Louttit Bishop of Georgia
Copies to: The Reverend Deacon Sara D. Lufburrow
The Recorder of Ordinations & The Church Pension Fund
The Clergy and Senior Wardens of the Diocese
The Secretary of Convention
The Diocesan Standing Committee
The Church Deployment Office

Also:

Bishop Louttit has also, in light of the current action, revoked Layne Hansen’s and Dcn Greg Malley’s licenses to officiate and so notified their bishop, Robert Wm Duncan (Pittsburgh).

And, it’s only fair to add the postscript:

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.

Read it all.

Statement from the Bishop of Georgia on Christ Church Savannah

From TitusOneNine:

Statement of the Right Reverend Henry I Louttit, Ninth Bishop of Georgia concerning the recent announcement by the present leadership of Christ Church (Episcopal), Savannah of their intention to leave the Episcopal Church:

I have just been informed that the rector and wardens of Christ Church, Savannah have voted to leave the Episcopal Church. It is important to clarify the ecclesiastical structure of our denomination. Parishes in our church are not separate congregations but are integral and constituent parts of a diocese and of the larger church. Should some individuals in a parish decide they can no longer be Episcopalians, that in no way changes the fact that Christ Church is and will remain a parish of the Episcopal Church in this diocese and will continue to occupy its present facilities.

Even though some parishioners of Christ Church have chosen to leave the Episcopal Church, I will work with those who remain to ensure that they will have newly empowered leaders, vestry members and clergy to lead them and carry forward the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Church at Christ Church, Savannah. To that end the continuing members of the Parish of Christ Church will meet in St. Paul the Apostle Episcopal Church, 34th & Abercorn, at 5 p.m. Sunday October 7 for the liturgy of Holy Communion and for a time of fellowship.

No matter what path any individual or any group may choose, Christ Church in its present facilities will carry on its portion of the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church here in Savannah and in the broader community and world. Should some decide that they can no longer take part in that mission and ministry, we will wish them well. However, we will continue to do God's work at Christ Church, a parish of the Diocese of Georgia in the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church has weathered many storms over the last two hundred years and we will weather the present one as well. Please know that I want no one at Christ Church or elsewhere in this diocese to leave this part of God's church that we call the Episcopal Church. But also know that should anyone choose to leave us, the doors of the Episcopal Church in this diocese will remain open for their return.

++Orombi gives sanctuary to another one: Christ Church Savannah

From Christ Church Savannah:

September 30, 2007—Savannah, Georgia: The vestry of historic Christ Church has voted to continue in a province in good standing with the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion by placing itself under the pastoral care of The Rt. Reverend John Guernsey, Rector of All Saint’s Church in Woodbridge, VA and a bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion’s Province of Uganda, Africa. The vestry was unanimous in its decision.

The vote follows a period of discernment and prayer that stretches back to 2000. “For seven years we have studied scripture, prayed and engaged in deep and significant conversations within the vestry, the congregation and the diocese,” Senior Warden Steve Dantin said. “It became clear to us that this was the best direction for us to take in order to proclaim the authority of Holy Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.”

“We have witnessed how The Episcopal Church (TEC) has separated itself from the historic Christian faith over the last few decades,” Dantin continued. “In February 2007 TEC received a final call from the Anglican Communion to return to the central tenets of Christianity, and TEC failed to comply with the request by the September 30 deadline. Therefore, TEC has abandoned the communion previously existing between TEC (including the Diocese of Georgia) and Christ Church. This is a sober moment for us, but our first allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s word revealed to us in the Holy Bible.”

“Traditional Anglican worship will continue at Christ Church just as it has for almost 275 years,” said The Reverend Marc Robertson, Rector of Christ Church. “We have had an established mission relationship with Uganda for several years. Bishop Guernsey in Virginia is well known to us, and I welcome the opportunity to serve under his authority."

The province of Uganda, under the leadership of Archbishop Henry Orombi, has a membership of 9.5 million people, including 33 churches in the U.S. Christ Church is one of over 1,000 congregations representing more than 200,000 U. S. Anglicans and 1,200 clergy who are associates of the Anglican Communion Network, an ecclesial, Anglican body in the U. S. Christ Church is also an affiliate of the American Anglican Council, an advocacy group for Anglican orthodoxy in the United States.

Founded in 1733 with the establishment of the Georgia colony, Christ Church is the Mother Church of Georgia and its oldest continuous Christian congregation. Christ Church predates the establishment of The Episcopal Church in the United States and the Diocese of Georgia. Early rectors include British evangelists John Wesley and George Whitefield. Located on its original site on historic Johnson Square in downtown Savannah, Christ Church continues as an active and thriving congregation.

Christ Church is a Bible-based, mission-minded congregation. The Christ Church Parish House hosts Emmaus House, started in the 1980’s, which feeds 30,000 meals to homeless people annually, including a Christmas morning breakfast. Christ Church is a full partner in the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens, which it founded in 1935, returning the bulk of its proceeds to community ministries and mission. Christ Church also supports missions in Pass Christian, Mississippi; Belize; Romania; Russia; South America and Uganda.

H/t to TitusOneNine.