OPINION — Another controversy has erupted in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
This one involves the bishop of South Carolina, Chip Edgar. On Aug. 18, Edgar participated in the dedication of a chapel at the exclusive Porter-Gaud School in Charleston alongside Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, the Episcopal bishop of South Carolina. That dedication included Edgar and Woodliff-Stanley participating in a communion service together. Photos of the two of them, side by side in their vestments, sharing communion, caused immediate outrage in the Anglican world.
Ruth Woodliff-Stanley (left) and Chip Edgar (right) / Photo via Facebook @Anglican Church in North America (unofficial)
To understand why this seemingly innocuous event has generated such an outcry, a bit of background is important.
First, it is important to note that ACNA’s official position is that it has “broken communion” with The Episcopal Church. What does that mean? Unfortunately, that is not clear. Like so much else in ACNA’s canons (church laws), the definition of “broken communion” is vague and ambiguous. The denomination has done much to strengthen its canons in the past few years, but that work remains ongoing. The snail’s pace of these efforts continues to create confusion and even chaos in the church.
But this lack of definition does not mean — and should not mean — that Chip Edgar is off the hook. Even if what he did does not violate church canons, his actions were monumentally imprudent. His Diocese of South Carolina had been in a bitter dispute with The Episcopal Church over church property rights, among other things. That dispute was ultimately resolved, with ACNA retaining more than 20 properties. But the cost of the litigation was prohibitive. Some online commentators say ACNA spent more than $5 million on legal fees. For Edgar to “kiss and make up” with Woodliff-Stanley, the bishop of the Episcopal diocese ACNA fought, felt like a personal betrayal even if it was not a violation of canon law.
Edgar may have made matters worse when, on Aug. 27, he issued a ham-fisted explanation of his actions and a non-apology apology. He concluded his letter: “I tried to navigate that terrain carefully, but it is clear I made mistakes. Brothers and sisters, where my actions have offended, forgive me. At the same time, please pray for the good work that many in our diocese are engaged in at Porter-Gaud School.”
It is clear that Edgar’s apology has not settled the matter. Bishop Julian Dobbs is the dean of the College of Bishops and acting archbishop of ACNA. He issued a statement that clarified the issue. He wrote,
The Anglican Church in North America is not in communion with The Episcopal Church, and those who hold ecclesiastical authority in our Province bear a solemn responsibility to uphold this position.
Let it be clearly understood that principled disengagement does not mean indifference. Our position has always been to pray for those who have departed from the faith and to call them to repentance. We continue to plead with the Lord that He would grant them a change of heart and restore them to the faith. It is because we long for that day that we speak plainly. Until it comes, however, we cannot be in communion with those who have distorted God’s Word.
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina has communicated with his diocese regarding his original intentions in participating in the dedication and the resulting controversy. Next month, as part of the scheduled College of Bishops meeting, I will lay the seriousness of this situation before the bishops and ask them to consider with me what faithfulness to our Lord and the faith we have received requires of those who have been entrusted with ecclesiastical authority.
I am glad Archbishop Dobbs laid out the issues so plainly, and I am glad he does not intend to let the matter drop. I hold out hope that the upcoming College of Bishops meeting will return ACNA to some semblance of regular order. But this matter is a tough one for many Anglicans because of the interpersonal dynamics. Chip Edgar showed moral courage when he departed The Episcopal Church for the then-fledgling Anglican Mission in America (AMiA, a precursor of ACNA) in 2003. Many of us who are critical of his actions know and like Bishop Edgar personally. He is, in the vernacular, a “good guy.”
But he has made a grievous error, and his apology lacks the seriousness and contrition of true repentance. Should he resign? Should he be deposed? That is not for me to say. But it is a matter worthy of deliberation and judgment by the church, and I am glad Bishop Dobbs has cleared a way for that to happen.
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