The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue May 2007

Bishop's Reflections
and Calendar

As I write, some things remain uncertain for us about our future status in the Anglican Communion. We don't know what effect it will have if we don't respond positively to the Primates' ultimatums to us, issued in their Communiqué of Feb. 19—as most certainly we won't? Who will have the authority to do what if we don't comply?

Can the Primates then 'kick us out?' Will the Archbishop of Canterbury declare that we are no longer 'in communion' with him (an historic part of what it means to be an Anglican province).

Would we thereby be 'kicked out' of the Anglican Consultative Council, and our bishops not be invited to attend future meetings of the Lambeth Conference?

I don't mean to suggest that we don't value these connections to global Anglicanism (now called 'Instruments of Unity'), but the fact is there have never been rules or conditions for membership or for being in 'in communion.'

By what authority do they come into being now? Conferences and consultative bodies are not part of a formal institutional structure; they simply emerged over time.

Few of the primates were elected to their positions (including the Archbishop) and there are many different understandings and expectations of such leaders within their provinces once they become primates. How do they—as a body—suddenly come to have authority over all provinces?

Americans, by our nature, would not take well to being demoted to a secondary class of membership, which the Archbishop has also suggested.

But you know what? We would still be Anglicans! This is our tradition, which we love, respect and will continue. No one can take this heritage from us.

The significant parts of what this tradition brings to our church are:

• An understanding of dispersed authority, deriving from scripture, tradition and reason;
• The Book of Common Prayer, revised only three times in our history;
• And the catholic tradition of holy orders— the laity, deacons, priests and bishops.

Moreover, we have established many connections with other Anglicans all over the world: substantive partnerships with other dioceses and congregations; reciprocal missionary endeavors; occasional gatherings for specific purposes of advancing the mission Christ in the world; and most recently the Anglican women's group meeting at UN conferences.

These structures and practices are 'on the ground' examples of the ways our shared heritage as Anglicans will continue to enrich the church in this and other lands.

The future is, of course, always open, yet we envision ourselves as an inclusive church, welcoming all persons including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals, and others who are marginalized in our society, e.g., Latinos and Native Americans.

We are attractive to people who like to think for themselves, who are generous in sharing their material means through the UN's Millennial Development Goals, and those drawn our historic and beautiful worship.

Yes, we will always be Anglicans through our lived traditions, Episcopalians who value our particular structures and practices as a church, faithful to our understanding of Christianity, broad in our diversity, and hopeful about living into the future of God's reign.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish

P.S. When this issue of the Dialogue reaches you, it is likely that we will know whether the Archbishop of Canterbury has accepted the invitation of the House of Bishops to meet with us face to face between now (April 6) and our next regular meeting, beginning Sept. 20. And, by the end of May we hope to have a study document from the Theology Committee at the request of our presiding bishop. Your input and prayers will be critical as we continue to navigate our way through the now rough waters of the Anglican Communion.

Bishop's Calendar

MAY

1- Homestead: Clergy Conference
1- Perpetual Trust of St. Peter and St. Paul
3- St. Paul's, SLC: "Engage" Lutheran Youth program
5- Grace Church, St George: Southern Region
Confirmation
5- Installation of the Rev. Catherine Gregg as
Rector of Grace Church
7-9- Washington, DC: National Church Theology Committee meeting
12- St. James, Midvale: Diocesan Council
12- St. James, Midvale: Salt Lake 2 Confirmation
13- Good Shepherd, Ogden: Visit
19- Ascension St. Mathew's, Price: Southeastern Region Confirmation
20- Cathedral Church of St. Mark: Visit

JUNE

3- St. James', Midvale: Visit
9- Cathedral Church of St. Mark: Kay Cook and Mary Janda Ordination to the Diaconate
10- St. Stephen's, WVC: Visit
20-22- Washington, DC: Standing Commission on Life Long Learning & Education
23- Diocesan Council

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