Statement Issued by the Anglican Communion Institute
in Response to the Consecration of Robinson
The consecration of Gene Robinson is a deliberate and flagrant act of disregard: disregard for Lambeth 1.10 and the Lambeth Conference; disregard for the Archbishop of Canterbury; disregard for the Primates; disregard for the Statement issued only two weeks ago, which clearly stated this act would jeopardise the Communion. This act of disregard is intended to show that American Episcopalianism is answerable to no one but itself. By this act, a major block of American Episcopalians have voted with their feet and have walked out of the Communion.
We now call on the Presiding Bishop to have the courage to declare his independence from the Communion. We call on Gene Robinson to acknowledge that his episcopacy will have no sacramental standing in most regions of the Communion. We call on those Bishops who joined in this consecration, or who supported it by formal consent, to follow through with proper conviction and declare themselves an independent Episcopal Church, operating outside the constraints of Communion. We call on these Bishops to agree with the Presiding Bishop's statement that same-sex blessings are, strictly speaking, in contradiction to scripture.
For the sake of truth and justice, we call on the new Episcopal Church which emerges after November 2 to declare its independence from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primates Meeting, and Lambeth Conference. For the sake of truth and justice, we call on the new Episcopal Church to amend the Preamble to the Constitution and Canons which had described it as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion and in Communion with the See of Canterbury. It is time for the new Episcopal Church to cease "limping along with two opinions." By this act of consecration, let the new Episcopal Church walk out resolutely from under the constraints of Communion. May the new Episcopal Church have the full courage of its convictions and declare itself free and clear of Communion life. It is time for a new day of honesty and courage. Let that day begin now.
