Obviously the word “Anglican” is related to “England” and to the Church of England (Latin = ecclesia anglicana). Thus “an Anglican” Christian could be described simply as a member of either the Church of England or one of the 38 Churches/Provinces closely tied to the Church of England that make up “The Anglican Communion of Churches.”
However, some of the Churches in this Communion have it their title the word “Episcopal” and thus locally their members are called “Episcopalians.” Nevertheless, these members usually also accept the name of “Anglican” as the dynamic equivalent to Episcopal/ian.
So the first choice is between “Episcopal/ian” and “Anglican,” and the latter wins because of its universal usage.
Now, were it the case that all who are of Anglican/Episcopal faith and practice had remained within the Provinces that make up the Anglican Communion, then the problem of names would be simple. But the fact of the matter is that there are churches and jurisdictions practicing a form of polity, worship, faith and practice which are very similar to that found within the mainstream of the Anglican Communion of Churches.
The question then becomes, what do these people call themselves and what should others call them?
What do people within the Reformed Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. and in the Church of England in South Africa call themselves? How do the Anglican Communion Office in London and Lambeth Palace describe & name them? In origin both these denominations belong to the evangelical, low churchmanship side of the historic Anglican tradition. Now the Reformed Episcopal Church is fast moving towards a high churchmanship while the Church of England in South Africa remains determinedly low church and “Calvinistic” in emphasis.
Then what about those Episcopalians who signed the St Louis Statement of 1977 and left the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. to form what they called “The Continuing [Episcopal/Anglican] Church.” But what were they continuing? It was not in reality the comprehensive churchmanship of the historic Protestant Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. but rather & primarily the anglo-catholic end of that varied churchmanship. It is an agreed fact that the St Louis Statement is not compatible with The Thirty-Nine Articles or with other parts of the other historic Formularies for it takes the anglo-catholic side where there have always been accepted differences in historic Anglican faith and witness.
So if we call these folk “Continuing Anglicans” then we need a footnote to state: “that is, primarily anglo-catholic Anglicans”.
Since 1977 there have been other secessions from the Episcopal Church, with what is now called “The Anglican Mission in America” (sponsored by two Primates of the Anglican Communion of Churches) getting the major publicity and showing the greatest energy. Obviously this group, as well as other smaller ones which have overseas support from bishops, believe that the name of “Anglican” is appropriate for them. Many of them would also identify as “charismatic” ; their services show continuity of style with the recent manifestations of charismatic-style Anglican worship within dioceses of the official Provinces of the Anglican Communion of Churches. Thus if we are to call these folk “Anglicans” we need a footnote to state: “that is, primarily evangelical & charismatic in style.”
Returning to those who call themselves “Continuing Anglicans” in the USA we may note that they have more “brethren” overseas in membership of churches in fellowship with them than they do at home. One international grouping is called “the Traditional Anglican Communion” of which the Archbishop is an Australian and most members are in Asia, Australasia and Africa. Here again in this title there is an obvious determination to keep the name of “Anglican” but it is basically “anglo-catholic” in nature, for its formularies require this approach.
Some years ago my learned friend, Bishop Robert Mercer C.R. began to use the name of “Extra-Mural Anglicans” (outside the wall Anglicans) of those who sought to practice received Anglican polity, worship and faith outside the walls of the official Anglican Communion of Churches. Bishop Mercer himself moved from within the walls to outside the walls when he became the Bishop of the “Anglican Catholic Church of Canada.”
“Extra-Mural Anglican” is a cumbersome title but it is a way of describing in neutral terms those who believe themselves to be Anglicans and who, either on grounds of conscience or circumstance beyond their immediate control, find themselves outside the 38 provinces that make up the Anglican Communion of Churches.
This title however will not cover all who are on “the Canterbury trail” and within a vague Anglican ethos. There are former Pentecostalists who, attracted by episcopal polity, the Church year, historic liturgy of an Anglican kind, and vestments, have formed denominations which have in their title “Episcopal” rather than Anglican – e.g., “the Charismatic Episcopal Church.”
So, in summary, I prefer to stay with the expression “Extra-Mural Anglican” for it can cover a variety folks committed to a variety of churchmanships and traditions, which historically fitted within the comprehensiveness of the Anglican Way.
The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)
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