The following is a letter from the Faith and Order Group of the consultation on the Future of Anglicanism, held at Oxford, June 29 – July 5, 2002. It was forwarded by Edith M. Humphrey, a Canadian theologian and one of the signatories of the letter.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We greet you in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Be assured that in this time of testing we stand in solidarity with you.
The Primates attending the Oxford Consultation have conferred on the crisis in the Diocese of New Westminster. They will be writing directly to the Canadian Primate, Michael Peers, and Bishop Michael Ingham, affirming the initiative undertaken by the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, to clarify: the legality of the decision by a Diocesan Bishop to implement blessings of same-sex unions; the adequacy of the proposal for an episcopal visitor; the safeguards for clergy and laity dissenting from the innovation; the role and mind of the Canadian House of Bishops; and the degree of consultation with the wider Anglican communion in the process of decision.
The attending Primates have also expressed their intention to arrange a pastoral visit to the concerned parishes of New Westminster. They assure you that their Provinces remain in full communion with your parishes and uphold the ministries of your respective priests.
The wider Oxford Consultation has been made fully aware of the crisis in New Westminster and declares its solidarity with you. Moreover, the Archbishop of Canterbury has publicly expressed his distress at the schismatic action of the Synod and Bishop of New Westminster.
Be assured of our continued prayers and efforts to guard the faith and sustain your rightful place within the Anglican Communion.
The Faith and Order Group
Oxford Consultation on the Future of Anglicanism
Drexel Gomez, Archbishop of the West Indies
Yong Ping Chung, Archbishop of the Province of South-East Asia
Donald Mtetemela, Archbishop of Tanzania
Maurice Sinclair, Honorary Assistant Bishop of Birmingham, England
Robinson Cavalcanti, Bishop of Recife, Brazil
Anthony Burton, Bishop of Saskatchewan, Canada
Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, USA
Ronald Ferris, Bishop of Algoma, Canada
Peter Lee, Bishop of the diocese of Christ the King, South Africa
John Chew, Bishop of Singapore
Cyril Okorocha, Bishop of Owerri, Nigeria
Dr. Edith Humphrey, Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Seminary, USA
Richard Kew, Convenor of the America Anglican Congress
J.I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Canada
George Egerton, Associate Professor of History, Canada
Bill Atwood, General Secretary of Ekklesia, USA
Ephraim Radner, Canon Missioner, Diocese of Colorado, USA