TEC to the Anglican Primates: Kiss Off (But we love you.)

This just in... After being given an ultimatum from the Primates of the World Wide Anglican Communion (WWAC) to essentially get with the program, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) responded late Tuesday night. Their answer was a polite (Episcopalians are always polite) but firm rejection of the Primates communique. Reading the text would suggest that there was not a major battle over this decision. My guess is the vote was pretty lopsided. This would appear to have set TEC on a direct collision course with the leaders of the more conservative churches in the WWAC. The fat lady would appear to warming up just off stage now , along with a large number of lawyers.

[Episcopal News Service] The following resolutions were passed by the House of Bishops March 20 during its annual Spring retreat meeting in Navasota, Texas.

Mind of the House of Bishops Resolution Addressed to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church

Resolved, the House of Bishops affirms its desire that The Episcopal Church remain a part of the councils of the Anglican Communion; and

Resolved, the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution of The Episcopal Church is determined solely by the General Convention of The Episcopal Church; and

Resolved, the House of Bishops believes the proposed Pastoral Scheme of the Dar es Salaam Communiqué of February 19, 2007 would be injurious to The Episcopal Church and urges that the Executive Council decline to participate in it; and

Resolved, the House of Bishops pledges itself to continue to work to find ways of meeting the pastoral concerns of the Primates that are compatible with our own polity and canons.

Adopted March 20, 2007
The House of Bishops
The Episcopal Church
Spring Meeting 2007
Camp Allen Conference Center
Navasota, Texas

The full text of the resolution of the House of Bishops along with a statement addressed to the WWAC and a shorter one to the Archbishop of Canterbury may be found here.