A letter to the Diocese of Southwest Florida from Bishop Dabney T. Smith:
My dear friends,
I write to express some thoughts on the recently concluded House of Bishops meeting. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council were invited guests and participants. The bishops learned and experienced a great deal about the long process of recovery that the city of New Orleans endures. It was spiritually eye-opening for many.
Members of the ACC and the Archbishop addressed the bishops about their hopes and concerns for the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. The Chairman of the ACC , the Rt. Rev. John Paterson, bishop of Auckland, New Zealand, noted, "The Episcopal Church needs the Anglican Communion, and the Anglican Communion needs the Episcopal Church.” That sense permeated the discussions and listening. The atmosphere was gracious.
Archbishop Rowan Williams stated that bishops are “servants of common discernment.” His point was, of course, that we in the Anglican Communion need to discern and walk together. The House of Bishops' statement made to respond to questions from the primates and the ACC was crafted through lengthy discussion and prayer so as to "walk together" within the Anglican Communion. We have been preliminarily informed that the statement will prove acceptable to the archbishop. We will, of course, have to wait and see.
Archbishop Williams stated at one point that “perception is a fact.” I think that is a very helpful insight to remember. What we believe to be true (even if it is not) is held to be true. I read The New York Times article at the conclusion of the HOB meeting and was very disappointed. The headline and paragraphs of the article were the exact opposite of what happened at the meeting. I found it interesting that some were interviewed for the article that were not even present for the meeting; and that participants at the meeting were not interviewed.
My point is simple. Read the direct sources prayerfully for yourselves. Please read The House of Bishops' response "to questions and concerns raised by our Anglican Communion partners." Also read the article: Anglican Communion’s Secretary General reflects on House of Bishops meeting. You will be better and more clearly informed.
I look forward to our 39th diocesan convention in October. I will see many of you there. Thank you for your continued prayers. I continue to pray for the healthy relationship of the Episcopal Church with the Anglican Communion so we may continue Christ centered mutual ministry across the globe.
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