Forward in Faith
24th February, 2005
THE FORWARD IN FAITH AUSTRALIA RESPONSE TO THE STATEMENT BY THE MOST REVEREND DR PETER CARNLEY AO, ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH AND PRIMATE OF AUSTRALIA IN RESPONSE TO THE PURPORTED CONSECRATION OF THE REVEREND DAVID CHISLETT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Read more....<PDF>....
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The Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion presents the two new Bishops to the congregation after their Consecration at Good Shepherd Church, Rosemont, Philadelphia on February 16, 2005. (L/R) Bishop Juan Garcia, Porto Rico ACA; Bishop Edward McBurney, Retired Episcopal Bishop of Quincy USA; Bishop David Moyer SSC, Archbishop John Hepworth, Bishop David Chislett SSC, Bishop Louis Campese (Eastern United States ACA and Bishop Ross Owen Davies SSC, Anglican Bishop of The Murray - Australia.
[Photograph courtesy parish website]
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LETTER:
From The Dean of the Murray
Fr. Peter Wales SSC
Monday 21st February 2005
Dear Friends,
If there was ever a time when we need to stick together, this is it! I have been concerned by comments even from conservative anglo-catholics that Bishop Davies' actions were hasty or inappropriate.
In reality, this has been discussed and prayed about for a considerable period of time. Indeed, our Bishop's intentions in this matter were so clear that at the recent General Synod A/b Aspinall attempted to introduce a canon specifically to prevent any such action. On the other hand, despite the vote, some liberals insisted that there would be women bishops in Australia before the next General Synod (eg by having them consecrated outside Australia and imported)!
There is pretended outrage if we seem not to have kept to the rules - even though the course of action taken by Bishops Hepworth and Davies had been discussed with the Primate and the Archbishop of Caterbury. But those who oppose us seem to feel under no obligation to act with integrity. It is clear that there is no intention to treat faithfully with those who hold to the historic faith and order of the Church. Endless dialogue will not change the fact that if the liberals had their way, there would be no room for us in the Anglican Communion. I have been told by a cleric in another diocese "this church ordains both women and men. If you don't like it, find another pond to swim in."
We must be loving, and act with integrity even towards those with whom we disagree. But we must also stop being "C of E polite", and begin in earnest to make room for ourselves and for the people we are called to serve. My hope and prayer is that these consecrations will act as a bridge between the Anglican Communion and the coninuing churches, and also will force the liberal church to take note that we are serious, and (after the necessary posturing) to deal with us with a measure of respect and care that has so far been lacking.
With every blessing,
Fr Peter Wales, SSC
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Jubilation captures the hearts and minds
Sunday 20th February 2005
Jubilation captures the hearts and minds of the people of All Saints
BRISBANE: The news of their Rector's consecration to the apostolic
episcopate along side Fr. David Moyer at Good Shepherd Church, Rosemont,
Philadelphia last Wednesday has been greeted with jubilation at all the
Sunday Masses here at All Saints, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, the
historic flagship church of Australian Anglo-Catholicism.
Churchwarden Malcolm Badgery said there was "an overwhelming feeling of
joy and celebration and everyone was in party mood." He said, "we must
now wait patiently for our courageous rector, Bishop David Chislett SSC
to return home to Brisbane this week and the celebrations to begin in
earnest."
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Forward in Faith leaders consecrated
16th February 2005
THE Consecration of Fr. David Moyer, recent President Forward in Faith-North America and of Fr. David Chislett, Vice-Chairman Forward in Faith-Australia took place today in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Philadelphia before a congregation of 500.
The Chief Consecrator was The Most Reverend John Hepworth, Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). Co-Consecrators were The Most Revd Louis W Falk, Primate of the Anglican Church in America (ACA), the Rt Revd Louis Campese (ACA), the Rt Revd Ross Davies, Anglican Bishop of the Murray, Australia, the Rt Revd Maternus Kapinga, Anglican Bishop of Ruvuma, Tanzania. Assisting in the consecration were the bishops of the Anglican Church in America, the American Province of the Traditional Anglican Communion.
Present in the sanctuary and a concelebrant at the Consecration Mass was
the Rt Revd Edward MacBurney, (ECUSA-retired and a Forward in
Faith-North America bishop).
Bishop Davies has licenced both the new bishops in the Diocese of The
Murray, Australia.
Bishop David Chislett will preside at the Solemn Mass at St. Mary of the
Angels, Los Angeles on Sunday 20th February.
[Reports and pictures of both events in the Mid-March issue The Messenger]
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From the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion
The Most Reverend John Hepworth
16th February 2005
Consecration of Father David Chislett as Assistant Bishop in our Diocese, and as a "Flying Bishop" for Australia I am delighted to be able to inform you that Father David Chislett was consecrated as a Bishop in the Church of God on Wednesday 16th February at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Philadelphia, in the United States of America.
Consecrated at the same time was Father David Moyer, for the TAC in the United States. Both the new bishops were also nominated by Forward in Faith (North America and Australia) as "Flying Bishops", with a special ministry to Anglicans unchurched by the ordination of women to the priesthood.
Among the consecrating bishops was Bishop Ross Davies, of the Diocese of the Murray.
Bishop Chislett will remain parish priest of All Saints in Brisbane. He will serve as Assistant Bishop to our Australian church, with a particular focus on Northern Australia. He will also be the bishop to that special ministry to Traditional Anglicans in this country being negotiated by Forward in Faith and us with the bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia.
Because of the very serious legal challenges against Father Chislett should he accept this ministry, and the ongoing legal action against Father Moyer (which means that both men are putting their livelihood on the line in accepting consecration), we accepted the advice that the consecrations should take place outside of Australia, and that no opportunity should have been given before the consecrations for our opponents to take legal action (already attempted in Australia in the General Synod and threatened elsewhere) to prevent the ceremony occurring. (Hence the shortness of my notice to you.) I have also accepted the advice that Bishop Chislett should not be licensed to perform Episcopal acts in Australia until the negotiations about the shape of that ministry have been concluded. I have set a deadline for the completion of these discussions.
I anticipate making an announcement around Easter time for an Assistant Bishop to serve our church in Southern Australia.
I thank each of you for your prayers and perseverance during the past twelve months, when we have seized the opportunity to greatly expand our ministry to the Traditional Anglicans of Australia
+John Hepworth
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STATEMENT
From the National Chairman
Forward in Faith Australia
16th February, 2005
TO ALL MEMBERS OF FORWARD IN FAITH AUSTRALIA
Dear Member,
As many of you will know, Father David Moyer, the courageous Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Pennsylvania, is to be consecrated as a bishop in the Church of God at Rosemont at 7.30pm today (local time). I ask your prayers for him and his future ministry.
I write to inform you that Father David Chislett, the equally courageous Rector of All Saints Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, and Vice-Chairman of FiFA is also being consecrated as a bishop in the Church of God at that service. I am sure that each and every one of us will uphold him with our prayers and rejoice with him on this wonderful occasion.
This course of action has been undertaken after much prayer and deliberation and in light of the commitment made by the FiFA National Council last June, as to which we have received such a positive response. Indeed, it was this action that led to Archbishop Carnley's Primatial initiative for us to engage in dialogue with him and the other Metropolitans along with the Traditional Anglican Communion's Archbishop Hepworth and FiFA leaders regarding the implications of this commitment. This dialogue began with a cordial and constructive meeting held on 19th January last. Bishop Chislett's consecration will supply something of a level playing field in our future discussions and, we hope, assist the Primate in representing our position to other Australian Bishops. To this end, Bishop Chislett will not perform any Episcopal acts either in the Anglican Church of Australia or the Anglican Catholic Church of Australia until our November National Conference in Melbourne, the theme of which is, appropriately, "Shaping Our Future". In other words, during the next ten months we want to work with the Metropolitans of the Anglican Church of Australia in devising a harmonious way for this new ministry to operate
This step is a crossing of the Rubicon with all that this implies for us. It is a step taken in the risk of faith and in the face of legal threat and political pressure asserted from both within and beyond our shores. It is also a step taken in light of our Mission Statement and our other foundational documents. This, I believe, is God's opportune moment for us: it is now-or never-for FiFA.
It may be that there will be a surprise for some as to the lack of prior notice given, or public announcement of, this event. We have acted in this way to protect Father Chislett and Bishop Davies. Indeed, given the harsh reality of the circumstances I would draw a parallel with ordinations and consecrations undertaken in prison camps during the dark days of Soviet tyranny to ensure survival of apostolic ministry to the faithful in the face of hostility and persecution. Christian history offers other examples.
Bishop Chislett's consecration heralds a new era for our constituency; one, though, in which the Lord will present us with fresh challenges and opportunities. Not least, will be a paradigm shift in moving beyond reactive, and often negative, responses due to others writing our agenda.
We are being called out of the too familiar gloom of the trenches to engage the world with reshaped attitudes and the undertaking of new gospel initiatives. The Lord of the church summons us not only to the upholding of Catholic Faith and Order, but to reaching out with a new evangelistic zeal to transmit the faith of our fathers to a generation which has lost its way in a dehumanizing materialist hedonism, a generation in desperate need of Jesus Christ.
Would you please read the accompanying letter from Bishop Ross Davies with care and, while giving thanks, pray fervently for him along with Bishop Chislett.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev'd David Robarts O.A.M.,
National Chairman,
Forward in Faith Australia.
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LETTER
To the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane
From The Right Reverend Ross Davies SSC
Anglican Bishop of the Murray
15th February 2005
The Archbishop of Brisbane
The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall
Dear + Phillip,
Out of courtesy and respect for you I believe it is right for me to inform you personally that I shall be participating in the Consecration in the USA on the 16th February 2005 of the Reverend David Chislett as a Bishop in the Church of God.
I believe that Archbishop John Hepworth has written to the Primate to inform him of his intentions, in particular that Bishop Chislett, as he will be, will not exercise any episcopal function in Australia (either in the Anglican Church of Australia or in the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia) until such time as the discussions presently underway to find a Omodus vivendi©^ for a Oflying bishop©^ are further advanced.
I will be participating in this Consecration with other diocesans and also with retired bishops of the Anglican Communion alongside Archbishop Hepworth and bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion. My actions, which I am advised do not contravene the Constitution or Canons of the Anglican Church of Australia are undertaken to ensure that the Consecration is seen as having credibility in the Anglican Communion and as my public statement that it is essential that we have alternative Episcopal oversight. It is now over twelve years since the ordination of women to the priesthood in Australia. I cannot understand why we did not have the generosity of the Church of England in providing for the constituency of which I am part. I can see no other way forward to provide what should have been provided in Australia.
I expect to be part of the on going discussion between the ACA Archbishops and Forward in Faith this year and hope that we can proceed with charity.
In the hope that this action will not diminish the fraternal goodwill which has always existed between us.
+ Ross The Murray
Cc The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Primate of Australia
Acting Metropolitan of South Australia
Chancellor of The Murray
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LETTER
To Fr. David Moyer
From The Rt Revd Maternus K Kapinga
Anglican Bishop of Ruvuma
Diocese of Ruvuma
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Maternus K. Kapinga, Bishop
Bishop's Office
P.O. Box 1357
Songea
Tanzania
January 13, 2005
The Rev. Dr. David Moyer
The Church of the Good Shepherd
Rosemont, PA USA
My Dear Brother in Christ, Rev. Dr. Moyer,
Shalom! Salaam! Pax Domini!
The news of your election as a Bishop in the Church of God has just reached my attention and I am overjoyed for it. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Already you were nominated a FIF-NA candidate for the awsome Office, pending the support of Orthodox Primates of the Anglican Communion, for which we have all been praying.
As you say, you perceive your election as ACA (TAC) Bishop to be a call from God. It has touched my heart that you witness saying, "I am humbled, but I do know very deeply that this is is the work of God." I interpret this to be your awareness of what God [is] calling you to do here and now. As a child of God and a follower of Christ you must decide to do it and actually do it.
I am making this remark because I understand that voices of some highly placed clergymen in the Church are urging you to have second thoughts on the matter. Allow me, however, to quote our great Ancestor in the Catholic faith, Cardinal John Henry Newman, who said:
"Beware of trifling with your conscience. It is often said that second thoughts are best; so they are in matters of judgement, but not in matters of conscience. In matters of duty first thoughts are commonly best--they have more in them of the voice of God."
As you prepare yourself to take up the labours of your God-given vocation in His Chuch "among strangers" (see Newman below) whom Forward Now calls "Extra-Mural Anglicans," you and I know the hidden truth about 'the Anglican Communion' todya that, as St. Augustine of Hippo put it, "Many who are `inside' are outside and Many who are `outside' are inside" (my punctuation). And as our own Good Lord has told us, knowledge of the truth will set us free (John 8:32).
You also know, Father, that we share the commitment to the apostolic labours as you say "to bring the unity of all Orthodox Anglicans (and indeed Orthodox Christians) throughout the world." ONE FAITH, ONE TEAM, ONE GAME! This axiom the Holy Spirit led me to promulgate in 2003 at Rosemont! I look forward to us working together in this ministry.
As you await "the Day that the Lord has made" (16.02.2005), I wish to express my heartfelt support and encouragement for you, Father! The wisdom of our beloved Ancestor John Henry Newman again comes to mind when he writes about our call from God. We can affirm with Newman that:
"God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission. Somehow I am necessary for his purposes, as necessary in my place as an archangel in his. I have a part in this great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place if I serve him in my calling.
"Therefore I will trust him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. He does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about. He may take away my friends; he may throw me among strangers; still he knows what he is about."
My humble prayers, Father, are with you, your family and all at the Church of the Good Shepherd, as you await the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the descend of the Spirit of the living God upon you. May the Lord Our God remember you in His Kingdom, always! Blessed be His name, always! Amen.
Sincerely Your Brother in Christ,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Maternus K. Kapinga
Bishop of Ruvuma
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Please refer to The Christian Challenge for their report Prominent FIF Clerics to be Consecrated leading up to today's historic consecration service. http://www.challengeonline.org
