Can Rowan Williams Save the Anglican Communion?

The Anglican Communion is engaged in the biggest and most devastating break up since Luther's Reformation. The potential schism, already begun, was voted among the top 10 stories of the year by the secular and religious press. With thousands leaving The Episcopal Church and new Anglican formations emerging on the global scene, there is little doubt that Anglicanism is on a collision course with history.

When the Church Times did an informal poll asking "Is the Anglican Covenant the best way to achieve unity?" the results were startling. Of the 600 plus who to date have answered the question only 9% voted "yes" with 91% registering "no" votes. To the average Anglican a covenant, if it is ever agreed upon by all parties and that now seems almost impossible as liberals have already scotched it, will be irrelevant.

It's time the Archbishop of Canterbury faces the reality that there are two different religions, both going by the name of Christianity, at war within the communion. As one observer noted, only one of them may rightly be called by that name. In that respect, Anglicans and others across the mainline spectrum are dealing with a situation that very much resembles the first century conflict against Gnosticism (among others), one that requires the same strength of conviction and willingness to take an uncompromising stand for truth that our forebears in the faith exhibited. If that means declaring, "let them be anathema," (Galatians 1:8) so be it. It ain't polite, but it's the truth.

And if Rowan Williams is able, at this late hour, to rescue the Anglican Communion, he will have to acknowledge and reckon with that. Either the Communion will continue as a failing corporation or he will proclaim the faith once delivered without apology. The time for dithering is over. Read more
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