Communion Partners and Common Cause: Bishop Howe reports on an encouraging development

BB NOTE: Bishop Howe of Central Florida participated in a meeting of the "Global South" provinces represented at Lambeth and found something that is one of the best pieces of news I have heard in a very long time. Both Bishop Macpherson with the Communion Partners and Bishop Duncan with Common Cause spoke and Bishop Howe reports that "these two approaches are complimentary, CP is an "inside" strategy, and CC an "outside" strategy to attempt to maintain and further an orthodox witness and ministry in North America." Here's more (via e-mail):


This afternoon there was a meeting sponsored by the "Global South" (even though three of its most prominent Provinces are absent). Approximately 150 bishops attended. The history of how the Global South has come to have a life of its own within the larger Communion was recounted, and a brief update on the Anglican Covenant was presented (much more on this to come), and then Bruce MacPherson and Bob Duncan were each invited to speak, Bruce about the work of the Communion Partners, and Bob about the Network, and its evolution into Common Cause.

It was very clearly recognized that these two approaches are complimentary, CP is an "inside" strategy, and CC an "outside" strategy to attempt to maintain and further an orthodox witness and ministry in North America.

It was also clear that the phrase "Global South" no longer accurately names the configuration of Bishops represented, as all parts of the Communion were strongly in evidence. I found this a very encouraging session.

-John W. Howe
Bishop of Central Florida