Monday, February 18, 2008

"Not in My Backyard", says Jerusalem Archbishop to Schismatics

First, it was decision of Peter Jensen to snub the Anglican Communion by boycotting Lambeth. Then, it was the decision to further undermine the Anglican Communion by holding a rival conference, "GAFCON", specifically for disgruntled conservative Anglicans. Now it is discovered that Jensen and other organisers did not even bother to consult with the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani, before deciding to hold their conference in his Diocese. Understandably, Dawani would prefer that this conference be held elsewhere and says that Jerusalem is currently facing pressing issues of its own.

These revelations should not be surprising to those who have examined the behaviour of the Sydney Diocese over an extended period of time. Not only has it been suggested that the Sydney Diocese have disrespected Diocesan boundaries by planting churches in other Dioceses, it has also been alleged that the Sydney Diocese and other members of the Global South have aggressively been trying to poach disgruntled parishes from America. Interesting question though, what would happen if ECUSA wanted to have a conference in Sydney, for whatever reason? Would the Sydney Diocese lovingly embrace ECUSA, or would they be doggedly holding to their territorial sovereignty? For some reason, I get the idea that it's more likely to be the latter.

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