Who are we? And What is our Name?

For the consideration of Anglicans, Episcopalians and the like.

It is becoming difficult to know how to name and describe those who profess to live within and to maintain the Anglican Way, as a form of reformed Catholicism or authentic Protestantism, and who are outside the Episcopal Church.

Obviously members of The Episcopal Church of the U.S.A., whether they be progressives or traditionalists, high church or low church, are all Episcopalians, who may also in some circumstances decide to call themselves Anglicans. At least they all, conservatives and liberals alike, claim to belong to the international family of Anglican Churches.

If we use the term “extra-mural Anglicans” (or “extra-mural Episcopalians”) for those claiming to be of the Anglican Way, but outside of the Episcopal Church, then there are problems and some folks get upset. For example, some think that by this expression those outside are being declared to be inferior to those inside and, further, it is being suggested that the outsiders are dependent upon the institution of the Episcopal Church, even though outside its walls.

So “extra-mural” as an expression from the field of university education is suspect when used of those outside the walls of the Episcopal Church.

If we use (as “The Communion Network” seems to be doing) the term “diaspora” we also run into trouble. For, as is well known, the Jewish diaspora look to Jerusalem as the origin and center of their religious existence; but, those of the Anglican Way outside the Episcopal Church and its New York City offices, claim to look away from rather than towards this modern center!

So “diaspora” as an expression from Jewish history is suspect, when used of those who do not look to the National Church headquarters of the Episcopal Church.

What term or terms then can we use?

Those who left the Episcopal Church in the late 1970s called themselves “the Continuing” Church and so we have the expression “Continuing Anglicans” or “Continuing Episcopalians.” However, before this exodus took place there had been the exodus of both those who called themselves Reformed Episcopalians in the 19th century and various small groups in the 1950s and 1960s, who objected to the social changes in the [Protestant] Episcopal Church, due to such things as the impact of civil rights.

The Continuing Anglicans from the 1970s are now represented by several groups (e.g., the Anglican Province of Christ the King, the Anglican Catholic Church and the Anglican Church of America).

In the late 1990s they all were joined by those now known as the Anglican Mission in America, which is an evangelical (and sometimes charismatic) movement looking for guidance to Archbishops in S.E.Asia and Africa. More recently we have witnessed the adoption of individual parishes, which have left the Episcopal Church, by a growing number of overseas bishops from South America and Africa. Further, overseas bishops have authorized the forming of parishes of immigrants from their region (e.g., Nigerians & Indians) in the U.S.A. as missionary arms of the home dioceses. And, finally, congregations from a pentecostalist or evangelical background have been embracing the Anglican Way and forming their own jurisdictions (e.g. The Charismatic Episcopal Church).

So the picture of those who are Anglicans or Episcopalians is a varied and a changing one and shows little sign of being anything else but this for the immediate future.

Is there one word that covers the anglo-catholics, who are the majority amongst the Continuers, and the hearty evangelicals, who are the majority in the Anglican Mission in America, and the charismatics who are found in all the newer groups? Perhaps “Anglican” but then, when referring to any one congregation or any group, an adjective would be usually needed, and that is where feelings begin to be inflamed. Too many are too sensitive and thus, to in defending their own distinguishing marks, tend to major in minors.

The Latin name of the Church of England is Ecclesia Anglicana and so the use of the word Anglican is well-founded. As already noted it is the adjective or the phrase that is added to it which often raises the emotions.

The problem of name and title is seen not only in e-mail exchanges but also at every church notice-board be it erected outside the church building or in a web-site on the internet.

Does one write, “St. Mark’s Anglican Mission in America Church;” “Christ Reformed Episcopal Church;” and “St. Anne’s Anglican Church in America Church”? Or does not respect the integrity of the dedication of the building and write, “St. Mark’s Church, Anglican Mission in America;” “Christ Church, Reformed Episcopal Church;” and “St. Anne’s Church, Anglican Church in America”? In the latter case the place where the church is situated could then be the third line. So one could have, “Christ Church, Reformed Episcopal Diocese of the South, Austin, Texas.”

Perhaps one thing can be said. The fact of the variety and the fact of sensitivity over names and titles they do point to life! The Anglican Way is not yet dead!

--Peter Toon