Anglican Communion Network
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The Anglican Communion Network (ACN) (officially the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes) is a theologically conservative network of dioceses and parishes working toward Anglican realignment. Most of these dioceses and parishes are members of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA), while others are under the jurisdiction of overseas Bishops from Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia and other countries.
The ACN also includes a Forward in Faith convocation of churches, some of which may be in the Continuing Anglican Movement. As of January 2007, ACN dioceses and parishes count 200,000 laity and 2,200 clergy in ten diocese and 900 congregations in the United States and Canada.
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[edit] Origins
The ACN was officially formed in January 2004 at a conference in Plano, Texas attended by several hundred priests and lay leaders, including 12 Episcopal bishops. Its main intent is to provide a system to supply theologically conservative leadership and church oversight to Anglicans in the United States and Canada.
The ACN was formed in response to suggestions by the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Rowan Williams, in the wake of the controversy regarding Anglican views of homosexuality. In the United States, the initial controversy was the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. At the time of his election, Robinson was openly living with a same-sex partner.
Further controversy has come from the statements of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori such as "Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation" and a statement to the effect that Christ is not the only path to God.
In Canada, the main trigger was the approval of the blessing of same-sex unions by the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, also in 2003. Most of the work in establishing the ACN was performed by the American Anglican Council, a group of theologically-conservative congregations within the Episcopal Church.
The current ACN Moderator is The Right Reverend Robert Duncan, seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.
[edit] Anglican Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) was created by the ACN in 2004 to be a support and humanitarian organisation working with Anglicans in the Global South. The ARDF works on multiple Millennium Development Goals projects throughout Africa, South America, and the Middle East. [1]
ARDF is supported by the Church of Nigeria, the Anglican Church of Kenya, the Province of South East Asia, the Church in the Province of the West Indies, and the Church of the Province of West Africa. In 2005 over $1.4 million was donated from ARDF.
[edit] Youth and Children
Youth ministers from Network Dioceses gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina prior to the November 2006 National Youthworker's Convention hosted by Youth Specialties. During this meeting, speakers inspired participants to get back to the basics of faith, including instructing youth and children in Biblical literacy. Jack Gabig is the current director of youth and children for the network. He is in the process of providing training for lay and professional youthworkers.
[edit] Network Dioceses
These are Dioceses of the Episcopal Church that have been part of ACN from the beginning:
- Diocese of Albany
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Diocese of Central Florida
- Diocese of South Carolina
- Diocese of Quincy
- Diocese of Springfield
- Diocese of Fort Worth
- Diocese of Dallas
- Diocese of the Rio Grande
- Diocese of San Joaquin
[edit] Common Cause Partners
Common Cause Partners, founded in June of 2004, is an alliance of several churches and ministries within the Anglican Communion which support ACN. The initial meeting was followed by a gathering in February of 2005 which resulted in a Statement of Common Cause Partners in North America
The Common Cause Partners are as follows:
- American Anglican Council
- Anglican Coalition in Canada
- Anglican Essentials Canada
- Anglican Mission in America
- Anglican Network in Canada
- Anglican Province of America
- Convocation of Anglicans in North America
- Forward in Faith North America
- Reformed Episcopal Church
[edit] See also
- Anglican realignment
- Anglican Communion
- Anglican Coalition in Canada
- Anglican Mission in America
- Anglican views of homosexuality
- Confessing Movement
- Continuing Anglican Movement
[edit] References
- Following the Money, article by Jim Naughton. Washington Window, Vol. 75, No. 6, May 2006, published by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
