Leading CofE Vicar highlights value of link with faithful Anglicans in North America

Prebendary Charles Marnham has spoken of the importance for orthodox Anglicans in the UK of links with the Anglican Church in North America (ANCA), saying:

"You have taught us valuable lessons as we respond to the challenges of a collapsing culture in the United Kingdom, both within and outside the Church".

Prebendary Marnham, who helped to found the Alpha course in 1977 and is now Vicar of St Michael's Chester Square in London, was speaking as 2,000 people gathered in Atlanta for the installation of a new Archbishop for ACNA, which was formed in 2009 following a break with the increasingly liberal Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada.

Full text of Preb Charles Marnham's address:

Archbishop Foley,

I bring warm greetings, congratulations and good wishes to you at this special moment.

Firstly from the Executive of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in the United Kingdom, that is Wales, Scotland and England, as well as Ireland. The Primates of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans recognise this regional body as the expression of orthodox Anglicanism.

I have been asked secondly to bring the greetings and prayers of the Executive of the Church of England Evangelical Council, whose existence owed much to the late Dr John Stott.

And thirdly, the recent ReNew Conference of Anglican Clergy and Leaders, consisting of members of three organisations: the Anglican Mission in England, which is the Mission Society of the FCA UK and Ireland, Reform, and Church Society, also wanted me to convey their good wishes at this key moment in the life of the Province.

You and fellow members of this Province of the Anglican Church in North America should be in no doubt that you have many friends in the Church of England who admire and respect your costly, courageous and principled stand in recent years. You have taught us valuable lessons as we respond to the challenges of a collapsing culture in the United Kingdom both within and outside the Church.

Outside the Church, the redefinition of marriage by a Government without a manifesto commitment or mandate caused a great shock not only within the Christian community but wider nationally.

Within the Church of England, the Pilling Report recently submitted to General Synod recommended that the subject of sexuality be addressed through facilitated discussions. However it states that it has not found the arguments from Scripture, theology, science or social trends to be conclusive either for or against the Church’s current teaching.

In his minority dissenting report, the Bishop of Birkenhead, Keith Sinclair, who sends his personal greetings to you all, records that as far as the Report is concerned the jury is still out. He wrote: “That is a conclusion and a rationale and a basis for further discussion which I do not share”. No one who reads the signs of the times will be reassured that the foundations are secure, as the tectonic plates are already shifting.

We have learnt at least two valuable lessons from you in particular. First is “United we stand, divided we fall”. We can spend a great deal of wasted effort focusing on where we disagree. It is Satan’s best weapon. You are here today because you have worked so hard on maintaining unity. I am encouraged that I have come with greetings from a number of bodies from the UK, which demonstrates a greater understanding of our need for unity.

The second lesson is “Make the main thing, the main thing”. Guarding the gospel is a priority but its twin is proclaiming the gospel. We note how urgent you are in mission and discipleship, and recognise we must follow your lead.

But this is a moment of celebration and we rejoice with you and thank God He has brought you safely thus far. Never think for a moment that you don’t have many friends and admirers in the Church of England who hugely respect your integrity in the face of provocation and persecution.

This year marks the centenary of the beginning of the First World War. I am reminded of the remark by Marshal Foch to Marshall Joffre during the first battle of the Marne in September 1914. “My centre is giving way, my right is retreating, situation excellent, I am attacking”. Our attack, if it be so called, is the message of the transforming love of God in Jesus Christ – and nothing and no one can defeat it.

Archbishop Foley, may that be your constant inspiration.

We will pray for you as we ask you to pray for us.