Nine days in May
Anglicans chart more conservative course
By
Doug Koop
ChristianWeek staff
MONTREAL–If it’s true that mainline Protestant groups have been growing more liberal in recent decades, then the Anglican Church of Canada’s triennial general synod, which met in Montreal for nine days at the end of May, provided some evidence that the pendulum is swinging back.
"There’s a significant shift in this church in a conservative direction," says Ian Ritchie, a member of the denomination’s theologically orthodox Essentials movement and an observer at the synod. "It is certainly more conservative than previous general synods."
Synod host Bishop Andrew Hutchison of Montreal dismisses the notion that the church’s liberal wings have been clipped, and told ChristianWeek that "over the years within the Anglican Church we’ve always been reasonably clear where the edges are. The quest is always to find the centre. The centre is there. It’s not arch-conservative, nor is it raving liberal."
Hutchison adds that "the mood at general synod was very good indeed." Acknowledging the "obvious" fact "that on a few issues there is theological debate and lack of agreement," he says that "we ended on a resounding note of unity and togetherness, recognizing that there’s a much stronger bond between us than on some of the issues on which we have different opinions."
More than 300 delegates participated in the May 21-29 gathering under sauna-like conditions in a McGill University gymnasium. General synod, the church’s chief governing body, meets every three years, drawing members from across each of the country’s 30 Anglican dioceses to discuss issues relating to church and society.
Full agenda
Among the decisions which buoyed the hopes of Anglicans concerned about the denomination’s liberal drift were the election of moderate voices to the church’s general council, revisions to proposed new liturgies, expressions of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world, and a life-affirming statement on euthanasia and assisted suicide.
