ECUSA was not expelled

[marnanel]

A document got leaked from the Primates' meeting and now the media is in a flap. People are saying that the Episcopal Church of the USA has been suspended or something for allowing same-sex marriage. It hasn't. Read the document yourself, but here's a summary:

1) The meeting has applied (minor and temporary) sanctions against ECUSA for imparing catholicity by making a controversial step without discussing it first. (I myself think these sanctions are a mistake, because we could have discussed it forever, and this is a matter of justice.)

2) The Anglican communion has exactly the same composition as before. ECUSA is not expelled. ACNA is not admitted.

3) Section 4 is groundbreaking: the Primates' meeting has not affirmed that marriage is between one man and one woman, merely noted that this is a majority opinion.

Comments

[wildeabandon]

I would not describe those sanctions as minor.

[marnanel]

Maybe I was wrong. Sorry.

[wildeabandon]

Ah well, on the plus side, at least now I know it's not going to be worth waiting, so we can get on with planning the wedding.

[emperor]

I have to agree - members of ECUSA are for three years not allowed to speak for the Anglican Communion, be on AC standing committees, or take part in decisions of doctrine or polity. And, of course, there's inevitably the threat that similar sanctions will be taken against any other provinces that act similarly; and removing ECUSA's voice from discussions of doctrine will likely shift the Overton Window somewhat.