Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

Anglican Communion’s response
biting, bitter, generous, jubilant

The November 2 consecration of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor in the Diocese of New Hamp-shire brought swift and varied reactions from Anglican leaders around the world — and dire warnings that the future of the Anglican Communion is in jeopardy. At the same time, it was evident that not all were prepared to rush into schism.

A statement issued by Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria on behalf of the Primates of the Global South said they were “appalled” that the Episcopal Church “ignored the heartfelt plea of the Communion not to proceed.” In a radio interview, Akinola said, “We can no longer claim to be in the same Communion. We cannot go to them and they cannot come to us. We will not share communion. We have come to the end of the road.”

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of the Anglican Church of Kenya announced that his church will have nothing to do with Robinson or any of the 54 bishops who participated in his consecration. “We cannot be in the same communion with Robinson, his diocese and the bishops who were in the consecration.”

When pressed about what cutting ties meant, he said that the Kenyans would not accept any support from the Episco-pal Church, including missionaries. “The devil has clearly entered the church,” he said.

Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Province of the Southern Cone in South America said, “The United States have declared independence. ... We are having a time of separation and thinking.” The consecration, however, “is robbing us of the dialogue we could have had to find a way forward.”

Archbishop Peter Jensen, who branded Robinson as a “bishop of disunity,” said that he expects two distinct strands of Anglicanism to develop as a result of the controversies.

In New Zealand, Bishop Thomas Brown said that while he was opposed to the consecration, the church should not dwell on its divisions. “The church is not so much a place to stand and divide as it is a place to love and unite.”

Archbishop Robin Eames of Ireland, appointed by the archbishop of Canterbury to head a special commission — similar to the task he accepted in 1988 when the issue was ordination of women — was cautiously hopeful. Noting that “we are moving into un-known territory,” when asked whether a split was inevitable, he said, “I don’t think you can prevent a realignment. I sincerely hope we can prevent what you call a split.”

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of the Province of the Church in Southern Africa struck a much more conciliatory note, offering his congratulations to Robinson and prayers for him.

Dean Colin Slee of Southwark Cathedral in London said that Anglicans should rejoice that “at last there is an open and honest consecration of a homosexual bishop within the church.”

“His ministry will inspire lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual Christians with new confidence that we have a full place at the communion table,” said the Rev. Colin Coward, director of Changing Attitude, a British organization that promotes a more open attitude in the church.

“This consecration is God’s way of making the church come to terms with homosexuality,” said Christo-pher Ssenyonjo, a retired Ugandan bishop. “Bishop Robinson did not elect himself, he was elected by others. To me it seems God inspired them to vote that way.”

Acknowledging the deep divisions among Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued his own statement immediately following the consecration. “The divisions that are arising are a matter of deep regret; they will be visible in the fact that it will not be possible for Gene Robinson’s ministry as a bishop to be accepted in every province in the Communion.” Yet Williams said that those who participated in the consecration “have acted in good faith on their understanding of what the constitution of the American Church permits.”

The man at the center of the controversy expressed an eagerness to begin his ministry. “I have plenty to do in New Hampshire,” the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson said in an interview, “[and] in those dioceses that will welcome me — and in time, just as has been true with women [bishops], I will be welcomed in other places as well.”

Related stories in this issue:

• Feelings mixed as first openly gay Anglican bishop is consecrated
• Bishop’s letter emphasizes reconciliation
• Executive Council addresses the church
• Diocese comes to the table to speak, to hear, to pray
• Ascension rector attended 'A Place to Stand' in Dallas
• Changes pondered at Integrity mini-retreat
• Reconciliation resources available