Six conservative bishops have banded together in the hope of influencing the overwhelmingly liberal House of Bishops in the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). The six have pledged to observe with “gracious restraint” the three moratoria of the Windsor Report. These are:

1. consecration of clergy to the office of bishop who are living in a same gender relationship,

2. authorization of public rites of blessing for same gender unions;

3. interventions by bishops into ecclesiastical provinces other than their own.

The text of their declaration to the April 2011 meeting of the House of Bishops is reprinted below.

Although the six have been dubbed “gracious restraint bishops”, there is no official name for their association. The group includes three relatively new bishops – the Rt. Revs. Stephen Andrews (Algoma), Michael Hawkins (Saskatchewan) and Fraser Lawton (Athabasca) – and three longtime bishops: William Anderson (Caledonia), Andrew Atagotaaluk (Arctic) and Larry Robertson (Yukon). The new group represents one-fifth of the House of Bishops.

In an interview, Bishop Andrews of Algoma explained that “the purpose of the group … is to promote conditions that would help the church deepen its understanding of the nature of communion … In forming this association we are primarily wanting to make a constructive contribution to our common life.” He continued: “The primary focus of our action is the House of Bishops. But we do hope that our efforts will be an encouragement to others outside the House who value the Anglican Communion and view with concern actions which threaten the integrity of our Anglican fellowship.” Bishop Andrews quoted British theologian John Stott who says that orthodox Anglicans “have three options before us: to get out; to give in; or to stay in and refuse to give in.”

Commenting on this very issue, Bishop Robertson of the Yukon said: “As a bishop I have tried to be honest in standing against what I believe to be erroneous teaching in the church. I have, along with others, made a stand in my diocese, and at provincial and national synods. However, as a bishop I have also a responsibility to those God has given me to serve. I am responsible in part for their spiritual care and growth. I cannot do this by abandoning them. Although many have chosen to ignore it, the canons of the national church in this area have not changed.”

Bishop Lawton of Athabasca commented: “Athanasius made clear his own position with regard to the Arians, but did not depart the Church. For some time his appeared to be the minority position, yet, in the end, it was the one that prevailed. It is God’s Church and he is certainly able to use his people.”

(Extracted from “The Anglican Planet”, October 2011 issue. Article by Sue Careless.)

The text of the bishops’ statement: We are pleased to announce the establishment of an association of bishops in the Anglican Church of Canada who are committed to a policy of “gracious restraint”, embodied in observing the three-fold moratoria as enjoined by the Windsor Report. Between ourselves we agree to observe the discipline of the Windsor moratoria until such time as there is clarity in the Communion about the final status of the Anglican Covenant and our mutual obligations.

The purposes of the association will be:
1. To provide fellowship, support and accountability for those who are committed to remaining within the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Communion;
2. To encourage some of our episcopal colleagues who are themselves in dioceses deeply conflicted on matters dividing the Church;
3. To preserve and promote the conditions for constructive discussion of the nature of Communion and the place of the Covenant, particularly in light of General Synod’s express will that we study the Anglican Covenant;
4. To respond to a call issuing from across the Church for greater episcopal leadership regarding matters threatening our fellowship; and
5. To issue a message to the wider Communion that there is an association of Canadian bishops who greatly value the efforts being made to strengthen our common life through the Covenant.

The association is open to any others who share in these commitments and purposes.