Hiltz calls on Canterbury to say "no" to the ACNA

Archbishop Fred Hiltz lobbies Bishop Justin Welby during UK trip
December 19, 2012
By George Conger

The leader of the Anglican Church of Canada has lobbied the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate not to extend formal recognition to the Anglican Church in North America. However, the decision who is an Anglican does not rest with the Archbishop of Canterbury. The communion’s formal statement as to who is an Anglican looks to fellowship with the Archbishop of Canterbury and fidelity to the doctrines and disciplines set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

The 6 Dec 2012 meeting at Auckland Castle, Durham with Bishop Justin Welby was one of four stops for Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who also met with the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace and with the general secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council, Canon Kenneth Kearon, in London, and preached at Southwark Cathedral.

According to the Anglican Journal, Archbishop Hiltz said he mentioned his ongoing concern about efforts by the ACNA to be recognized by the Church of England. Archbishop Hiltz said he requested that if bodies of the Church of England are to meet with representatives of ACNA, “in fairness, they should also meet with us to get a better picture.”

Bishop Welby was “very appreciative” of the place of the Anglican Church of Canada in the Communion and the contributions it has been able to make, Archbishop Hiltz reported.

In its legal battle with breakaway congregations in the Diocese of New Westminster, the Anglican Church of Canada argued that it was the sole legitimate expression of Anglicanism in Canada and cited as proof of this contention statements made by Dr. Rowan Williams that the Anglican Church of Canada was a member of the Anglican Consultative Council. Were the General Synod of the Church of England to give formal recognition to the ACNA, it could well undercut the claims of exclusivity made by Archbishop Hiltz to the Anglican brand in Canada. the rest