Australian Submission To Panel Of Reference Exposes Promises Unkept To Orthodox
Commentary By The Rt. Rev. David MoyerSpecial To THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE (Washington, DC)
June 27, 2005
Ed. Note: Traditionalists in and out of the "official" Anglican Church of Australia (ACA) have detailed years of maltreatment in a weighty submission just made to the international Anglican "Panel of Reference," set up to monitor alternate bishop arrangements for faithful Anglicans in theologically hostile contexts. ( See the whole document at http://www.challengeonline.org .) Notably, the submission follows the Archbishop of Brisbane's recent move to ground a "flying bishop" for Australian traditionalists, David Chislett, who was consecrated in an unusual February rite in Pennsylvania, along side well known orthodox cleric David Moyer. Chislett was ousted from his parish of ten years, All Saints', Wickham Terrace, by Archbishop Philip Aspinall. (Further information on this development is also available at challengeonline.org .) The submission to the Panel was made by the wardens of All Saints'; the ACA's Bishop of the Murray, Ross Davies (who licensed Chislett and Moyer as assisting bishops in his diocese); leaders of Forward in Faith, Australia, and of the Traditional Anglican Communion, the largest international Continuing Church fellowship, which is in communion with FIF. All the submission's backers supported Chislett's role as a "flying bishop" geared to serve both within the TAC and ACA. Here, Bishop Moyer comments on the Australian appeal to the Panel, and the often-overlooked persecution of those who uphold historic holy order.
FINALLY, WE KNOW the players on the Archbishop of Canterbury's Panel of Reference, and we have heard of the volumes of submissions to the Panel for their work, conversations, and action. The following is a brief synopsis of what has been submitted by my friends and fellow travelers in Australia - in particular those who had the vision and courage to support the consecration of Bishop David Chislett.
The 120-page document they have compiled is a testimony both to a firm and uncompromising allegiance to Catholic Order for Anglican Christians, and a desire to do everything possible to offer a constructive way forward for the benefit of the Anglican Communion and those outside of it who are in every way Anglicans.
The document reveals how--time and time again--promises were made to accommodate and value those who in conscience could not accept women's ordination because of their loyalty to the foundational principles of Anglican ecclesiology and polity, and how such promises and guarantees were not kept.
The submission also tells of Communion leaders who saw what was at stake for the Church's integrity, and their courageous efforts to safeguard and maintain that integrity. It attests, too, to their verbal and sacramental support of the Anglican Catholic Church of Australia, one of two Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) provinces in that part of the world.
Bishop Chislett and I (who were consecrated side by side on February 16, 2005) are bishops of the Anglican Communion and the Traditional Anglican Communion. There are many who don't like this, but it is a reality. We understood and continue to understand our episcopal ministries as bridge ministries at and for a time when priests and their people within the Anglican Communion require episcopal care by prelates not part of a college of bishops that is not Catholic and Apostolic (as judged by the two major Communions of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity), and particularly one in which some prelates have joined in the purported "ordinations" of women to the priesthood or episcopate.
The Australian submission to the Panel urges its members to be pastoral and constructive in granting the Traditional Anglican Communion a recognized role of pastoral care and oversight for those Anglicans who seek nothing more than to maintain what the Church Catholic has taught throughout the ages - again, a position that is without argument the Catholic stand. What is being asked is for the Archbishop of Canterbury's Panel to think outside the box - out of necessity for the Church and for the welfare of its members.
Such a plea and proposal signifies great respect for the Anglican Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury, and, in my opinion, is a reasonable and commendable plan for the highest degree of unity possible within a fractured Church.
IT HAS CONCERNED ME AND OTHERS GREATLY that, as the Anglican Communion wrestles with its fractures and when there is talk of its demise, those who commiserate on constituted commissions have appeared unwilling to acknowledge that there are thousands of loyal Anglican Christians who, through serious reflection, see the foundational problem as being, not the visible and highly charged issue of human sexuality, but rather the breach of Catholic Order for the ordained ministry of the Church. It is disturbing to hear the words "Catholic" and "Orthodox" used minus the fullness of historic theological meaning.
What has been submitted to the Panel from Australia was constructed with great care, respect, objectivity, and hope, and it took the great effort of many. Both the Archangel Gabriel and the Lord Jesus Himself said that "with God all things are possible." As a parish priest who has known persecution, and as a bishop within the Anglican and the Traditional Anglican Communions, I urge my friend Archbishop Rowan Williams and those he has deemed worthy and equipped to serve on his Panel to be thorough in considering the needs of beleaguered faithful Anglicans, not forgetting those who are classically orthodox.
THE RT. REV. DAVID MOYER is the rector of Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Pennsylvania (a parish still within the U.S. Episcopal Church); Bishop of the Armed Forces within the TAC's Anglican Church in America; and Assistant Bishop of The Murray, Australia.
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Anglican Communion disunity "a scandal" - says Bishop
25 June 2005
IN a letter to the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth, the Anglican Bishop of Ruvuma, the Rt Rev Dr. Maternus Kapinga says the disunity in the [Canterbury] Anglican Communion was a scandal.
Bishop Kapinga cited the planned daily Eucharists at the Primates meeting at Newry, Northern Ireland in February which had to be cancelled and a chaplain ushered in to celebrate the Eucharist for whoever wanted to attend!
He said, "they could meet for a common Evensong, but not for Holy Communion, the Eucharist, the Sacrament which is the bond of Christian Unity!"
He said, "the Apostates are quick to point out that the Traditional Anglican Communion is not in communion with the Canterbury Anglican Communion but they will not tell the world that the Sacrament of Christian Unity became an icon of Christian disunity at Newry; that the Primates of the [Canterbury] Anglican Communion are not in communion!"
Bishop Kapinga said, "if ever there was going to be a Lambeth 2008 Conference and ECUSA and the [Canterbury] Anglican Communion bishops were to attend the Newry scenario would recur. There could be no common Eucharistic celebration. What a scandal!"
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The Rosemont Consecrations - an event to cherish says Bishop Kapinga
25 June 2005
IN a letter to the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth, Anglican Bishop Maternus Kapinga of Ruvuma Diocese wrote, "My participation in the Rosemont Consecrations (of Bishops David Moyer and David Chislett) was the event that marked the beginning of the sixth year of my Episcopate in the Church of God. An event to cherish indeed".
Bishop Kapinga said that he came to Rosemont to support David Moyer and that Archbishop Hepworth invited him to join him and other TAC prelates and Bishop Ross Davies (Anglican Bishop of the Murray) as co-Consecrator for David Moyer and David Chislett.
He said, "I thank God and I thank you for the opportunity. If my participation was just a coincidence, I ask (with Padre Pio) and who planned the coincidence?
I bless the Lord always for our time together to witness the glory and the power of God at the Rosemont Consecrations in February. How good God is who allowed us to see that day: Diem quam fecit Dominus!"
Bishop Kapinga, in reference to the TAC College of Bishops, told Archbishop Hepworth, "After the event of February 16 th , I really feel to be one of their number. We are in communion. I am in communion with all true Catholic Christians!"
"The Apostolate of Christian Unity that our Lord has thrust on my shoulders called me to Rosemont and to participate in the consecrations.
The sacred event was for the glory of God and for the salvation of man and hence above the acceptance or approval of any mere human. "What God ordains as holy no mere human can thwart. To trample on it, as the apostates are bent on doing, is to trample on God! Yes, to use your quote, the gates of hell shall not prevail! Never!"
Bishop Kapinga said he was praying for the success of the TAC endeavour for unity with Rome. "The people of God need to be sure that in their spiritual safari they are on the True Way to Life (see John 16:6)". He said he looked forward to opportunities of working with the TAC especially in Africa for the glory of God and for the salvation of souls.
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Member of Parliament says Archbishop Aspinall should consider resigning
THE PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
From Hansard Monday 20th July, 2005
Bishop David Chislett
Mr SLIPPER (Fisher) (9.16 pm)
On Sunday, 19 June I was privileged to be present at the farewell Pontifical High Mass and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at All Saints Anglican Church, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. The bishop presiding was Bishop David Chislett SSC, who had been the Rector of All Saints, Wickham Terrace for a period of 10 years. The Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth, was also present.
Mr Pyne-Hear, hear! Good man.
Mr SLIPPER-He is a good man. Unfortunately, Archbishop Aspinall has withdrawn the licence of Bishop Chislett because of Bishop Chislett's support of Catholic orthodoxy in the Anglican Church. I believe that this action by Archbishop Aspinall seriously brings into doubt his moral fitness to be the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane.
In the minutes available to me, I want to state extracts from the farewell sermon by Bishop Chislett at the pontifical high mass.
Today is one of the saddest days of my life. My heart is broken. I am sad beyond belief because being Rector of All Saints' Wickham Terrace has never been a "job" for me so much as being part of a FAMILY; and unlike other times when I've moved on, I have been forced to leave you against my will.
We have had ten good years together. They have been years of hard work. But they have also been years of blessing and growth. Together we have proclaimed and lived the Good News of Jesus right in the heart of this beautiful City of Brisbane, and we have seen many people-indeed, some of YOU here present today-discover Jesus for the first time.
In fact, as I look out over the congregation-and it was a full congregation-my heart is touched by the presence of so many who have allowed me to share deeply in your life and death circumstances.
If there is something I want you to remember about my time with you, it is that together we became part of what Pope John Paul II called the New Evangelization. In other words, together we have brought men and women to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We have become "Evangelical Catholics." Our hearts truly "burn within us" as we allow Jesus to speak to us through the Scriptures, and we continually recognise him in the "Breaking of the Bread" (Luke 24).
I am reminded of some words of Pope Benedict when he was still just dear old "Cardinal Ratzinger" in May 2004: "Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional rather than as an encounter with Christ, which explains why they don't see it as a source of joy. If we stay with this impression, we do not live the essence of Christianity, which is an ever new encounter, an event thanks to which we can encounter the God who speaks to us, who approaches us, who befriends us. It is critical to come to this fundamental point of a personal encounter with God, who also today makes himself present, and who is contemporary. If one finds this essential centre, one also understands all the other things. But if this encounter is not realized, which touches the heart, all the rest remains like a weight, almost like something absurd. We need to understand Christianity in a personal way, from the point of view of an encounter with Christ."
. . . Following my consecration, and then my suspension, I received so many personal letters of encouragement from Anglican, Continuing Anglican, Roman Catholic, Russian, Greek and Antiochan Orthodox leaders, indicating that they understand full well just how difficult it now is for those Anglicans who really believe the Catholic Faith. For example, a well-known Roman Catholic Monsignor (not from Brisbane Archdiocese), the author of a number of significant books, began his letter thus: "Dear Bishop David, "Pardon my tardiness, but please accept my belated congratulations on the great step taken. It had to be done, otherwise the decay and deceit would just roll on and on, as the good people drift and wander. I have followed some of the responses, positive, vague, silly and downright nasty, and that confused range of reactions should assure you that taking a stand for Faith and Order is always costly."
I return to what Bishop Chislett said: For most of its history, All Saints' has stood firm for the undiluted Catholic Faith. Its people have always been taught that they are Catholics first and Anglicans second (the order we claim is required of us by our historic Anglican formularies). In fact, that is a summary! As I said in my Annual Meeting Address back in February, we are first of all CHRISTIANS; then we are CATHOLICS; then we are EVANGELICALS; and then, I guess, if after all that there's still some time left over, we are ANGLICANS! That's our priority order. In that respect we are different to those parishes that merely have a "high church" flavour and believe in a separate religion called "Anglicanism." In fact, Anglicans like us have been left between THE Rock and a Hard Place by the relentless departure of liberal Anglicanism from the Faith once delivered to the Saints in all sorts of different areas, but objectively and sacramentally in the ordination of women which, as so many women and men around here will tell you, destroys not just the iconic value of the nuptial imagery at the heart of the Scriptures, the Gospel and the Faith, but also our confidence in the sacramental life of dioceses like this one that have embraced the changes.
I salute Bishop Chislett and his service to the faith.
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THE PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
From Hansard Tuesday 21st July, 2005
Bishop David Chislett
Mr SLIPPER (Fisher) (9.24 pm)
On 8 March this year, I spoke in glowing terms in the House about the consecration of Bishop David Chislett in Philadelphia as a bishop. Bishop Chislett has been for 10 years the Rector of All Saints, Wickham Terrace, in Brisbane. Last night in the adjournment debate, I spoke about the farewell mass for Bishop Chislett and the tremendous feeling and ceremony at that time. As a former altar server, parish councillor, synod person and deacon in the church, I am well aware of the importance of All Saints, Wickham Terrace and the very strong support that members of that parish have for the Catholic faith.
Honourable members may well ask how, in the space of some four months, we have moved from a situation where Bishop Chislett was going to minister to traditional Anglicans in the Anglican Church of Australia and also those in the Traditional Anglican Communion to the situation where there was a necessity to have a farewell, sad but glorious Pontifical High Mass and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at All Saints, Wickham Terrace last Sunday.
I am happy to enlighten honourable members on the situation. On 25 February this year, Bishop Chislett, who in my view was one of the finest Anglican priests in the diocese of Brisbane, was suspended by the Archbishop of Brisbane on the basis of his consecration to the historic historic episcopate. In his letter to Bishop Chislett, Archbishop Aspinall said: In these circumstances I must ask you to show cause why I should not revoke your licence as Rector of the Parish of All Saints', Brisbane, issued on 31 May 1995.
Bishop Chislett, quite appropriately, responded to Phillip Aspinall and pointed out that he was not a member of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia and that the purpose of his episcopal ordination was, as clearly expressed on numerous occasions: ... to consecrate a bishop in the Church of God with the capacity to minister to certain members of the Anglican Communion and the Traditional Anglican Communion (of which the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia is part) ... Of course, in his consecration, bishops from both communions took part.
In his response to Archbishop Aspinall, Bishop Chislett also said: Historically in the Church of England, an incumbent's being consecrated to the episcopate 'out of range'-so to speak-of the canons regulating his ecclesial relationships, has not of itself been cause for revoking his licence, even in cases where the consecration has been of dubious validity. There is ample evidence to show that such incumbents have been regarded as having committed a canonical offence only if they act in a manner contrary to the terms of their incumbent's licence.
In his correspondence with Archbishop Aspinall, Bishop Chislett made it clear that he did not intend to act contrary to the terms of his licence as Rector of All Saints, Wickham Terrace, in the diocese of Brisbane. He also said: These points taken together clearly demonstrate that there is insufficient cause to revoke my licence as Rector of the Parish of All Saints Wickham Terrace in the diocese of Brisbane.
The archbishop set up commissions of inquiry under the Benefices Avoidance Canon. The commissioners wrote to Bishop Chislett saying: The Enquiry is considering whether you have wilfully contravened or violated the provisions of the Constitution, Canons, Rules or Regulations of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane, Anglican Church of Australia by being consecrated a Bishop and being appointed a Suffragan Bishop in the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia and/or whether the circumstance of such consecration and appointment is 'grave cause' within the meaning of s 7 of the Benefices Avoidance Canon.
Bishop Chislett appeared before the commissioners. In their response, effectively the commissioners affirmed the honesty and integrity of Bishop Chislett. They confirmed that no constitution, canons, rules or regulations of the diocese were contravened by the consecration. But they still found that, by being consecrated, there was grave cause that warranted his removal as rector of All Saints.
We have a situation where a man was found innocent, but under the provisions of the Benefices Avoidance Canon, even though you are innocent, you are able to be sacked. I believe that it is important that the Supreme Court of Queensland investigate the Benefices Avoidance Canon. It is unjust and unfair.
The situation is that there is now religious persecution by Archbishop Aspinall of traditional Anglicans. I believe that Archbishop Aspinall has to seriously consider resigning as Archbishop of Brisbane, because he is simply unfit to hold that high office.
(Time expired)
The SPEAKER-Order! It being approximately 9.30 pm, the debate is interrupted. House adjourned at 9.30 pm
uthlessness renewed against the orthodox in Australia
19th June 2005
IN spite of the Commissioners of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane finding that no Canon or Regulation had been broken, and therefore no canonical disobedience had been involved, and that the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia is a truly Anglican body that differs from the Anglican Church of Australia only by its refusal to ordain women to Holy Orders, and in spite of the Report of the Commissioners speaking of Bishop David Chislett's "moving evidence" of the plight of Traditional Anglicans in Australia, they recommended to Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall that he be dismissed as Rector of All Saints, Brisbane.
As expected their advice was taken and Dr. Aspinall removed Bishop David from the benefice on May 24. A parish farewell for Bishop Chislett was planned for June 19
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All Saints farewell - hailed a blockbuster!
19 th June 2005
TO the applause of a sad, yet jubilant congregation, the joyful High Mass was described by Churchwarden Lorraine Hines as a "blockbuster" and "a glimpse of heaven" and so it was!
In their hundreds they came, braving Brisbane's unusually grey wintry skies, to their loved All Saints, Wickham Terrace on Sunday 19 June. Young families, teens, young men and women, the aged and the infirm, an archbishop, priests and religious, in some way touched by the ministry of a great pastor and priest, filled this historic Anglican shrine church to capacity, filling side chapels, to standing room only beneath the Stations of the Cross, wanting to be there, to participate in thanksgiving in a two-hour triumphant Mass and farewell to their beloved rector and friend, Bishop David Chislett who a few days earlier had been removed from the benefice of All Saints by the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane because he dared to answer a divine call to shepherd the orthodox catholic minority in an apostolic ministry of pastoral care denied them by Australia's liberal house of bishops for more than fifteen years.
Anglican Archbishop Dr.Phillip Aspinall said he had removed Bishop Chislett "for the good of the Parish and of the wider Church in the Diocese and beyond".
Responding to the dismissal and on the same day, Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth licensed Bishop Chislett as Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia. Archbishop Hepworth said "Bishop Chislett retains the licence of the Bishop of the Murray, and so our primary purpose of the consecration, to provide a bishop who can be available to the traditional Anglicans of Australia, wherever they are to be found, and of creating a single Eucharistic community of orthodox Australian Anglicans, has been achieve".
Archbishop Hepworth said that he and Bishop Ross Davies, together with the Churchwardens of All Saints and the Chairman of Forward in Faith Australia, have made a formal appeal to the Panel of Reference of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other legal challenges are likely.
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| Pic 2. A new beginning. Bishop Chislett Confirms Edwina Badgery | |
Pic 4. Father David Robarts, Chairman of Forward in Faith Australia came from Melbourne to support Bishop David. |
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Anglican Bishop awaits his fate
3rd May 2005
BISHOP David Chislett SSC continues to be subjected to legal and canonical quagmires in attempts to provide a pastoral ministry to persecuted and isolated Anglicans in Australia. Following his consecration at Good Shepherd church, Rosemont, Philadelphia on February 16, Bishop Chislett's Licence as rector of All Saints Anglican Church, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane and priest of the diocese of Brisbane was suspended by Anglican Archbishop Dr. Phillip Aspinall pending the deliberations of commissioners appointed by him which met formally on April 7, and in due course, give Dr Phillip Aspinall their opinion as to whether there is sufficient ground to warrant Bishop Chislett's removal.
For legal reasons, Bishop Chislett is observing the suspension as rector of All Saints, and sits in the front row, flanked by two servers, at parish services.
All is expected to come to a head in the next four weeks when Dr. Aspinall decides whether or not he should remove Bishop Chislett.
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LETTER to the Editor:
Please extend my subscription to The Messenger.
As a member of Saint James' Church of The Holy Catholic Church - Anglican Rite, we are very excited about the progress toward the recognition of The Traditional Anglican Communion by the Holy See, Rome, Italy.
The presentation of the true Catholic Faith in its English expression is paramount to our soul's salvation. Thank you for all the wonderful work you have accomplished toward the fulfilment of the Oxford Movement.
Sincerely
Lee Ann Miller
Kansas City. Missouri USA
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LETTER to the Editor:
It was a great joy to read of Archbishop Hepworth's continuing commitment to Christian unity and of the interest and sympathy shown by Cardinal Ratzinger, now of course, Pope Benedict XVI. Let us all pray that this great ecumenical venture may come to full fruition soon. Ut unum sint.
Yours in Dmo
Timothy Huw Davies
London, England
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LETTER to the Editor:
Is our church especially in Australia able to do more to promote itself?
There are large numbers of displaced, dispossessed Anglicans and others who have no knowledge of the existence of the TAC in Australia.
Whilst the TAC fosters a close relationship with the Holy See & others shouldn't the church in Australia be endeavouring with the same zeal to evangelise here at home?
I'm tiring of explaining to others "who we are", "what we do", "what makes us different".
Thanks for an informative newspaper & webpage.
Best Wishes,
Cary Scotton
Gladstone, Australia.
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Media Release
From the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion
Archbishop John Hepworth
1 st May 2005
The election of Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, inspires all of us in the Traditional Anglican Communion to give thanks to God for this wise and godly shepherd who in the few short days since he was chosen by the Lord has several times recalled that our task as Christians is to work for that unity which Christ, the Good Shepherd, desired for all his flock.
Likewise, we give thanks for his clarion call last Monday at St. Paul's Outside the Walls for renewed commitment to evangelization throughout the whole world in the service of that same unity in charity that has always been the true sign of Christ's triumph over sin and death.
In our ministry as an Anglican Communion, through God's grace, we have grown around the world in a new evangelization that has brought renewed hope to a tradition whose origins may even date back to Apostolic times, but we have done so using all the modern means of social communication at our disposal. That methodology has enabled our Communion, at first a small remnant, to grow in a few short years to the several hundred thousand believers who now find Christ in us.
One element of that methodology that I continue to find very effective is robust public debate, even in the media, about many of our positions, goals and activities as a Communion, and as we continue our evangelization, our worship, our ministry to the Anglican world, and our tireless labor for Christian unity, I have committed myself to maintaining the closest, and broadest, links of communication with my fellow bishops, with the clergy and laity of our Communion, and with the media in each of its forms. The media is now the instrument through which we touch the world we are called to evangelize.
Nevertheless, as we move in increasingly positive directions to full and visible unity with other Christians, there will be some occasions where respect for our partners in dialogue will require us to maintain sensitive and loving confidentiality concerning significant initiatives and developments.
I believe this will particularly be the case with respect to certain aspects of our relations with representatives of the Anglican Communion and of the Holy See, where I am convinced that the special delicacy of the subject, in the light of Christ's prayer that unity in Him exclude no one, makes it appropriate for us to withdraw our activities in this area from ongoing media consideration until we can do so in full partnership with those who share our yearning for unity.
Thus, as we pursue this stage in our journey toward full and visible Christian unity, I will henceforward not be commenting in the media on discussions we might have with those representatives, though I will, of course, keep each of my fellow bishops, as true sharers in this labor and commitment, fully informed, relying heavily on their experience and advice, to keep us heading with the necessary confidentiality, where the Spirit wants us to go.
I thank each of you for your understanding in this regard; I assure each of you that our progress in this area is real and continuing, and I ask your constant prayers for the Spirit's guidance in an awesome task from which, with God's help, we will not shrink.
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