Primate Hiltz writes Primate Greg Venables
Anglican primate blasts South American rival
MICHAEL VALPY
April 22, 2008
Leaders of the Anglican Church in Canada and South America drew beads on each other yesterday with Canadian primate Fred Hiltz posting a letter on the Internet telling South America's Gregory Venables to stay out of the country and Archbishop Venables icily criticizing Archbishop Hiltz's manners in reply.
"My number is there on the Anglican Communion network," Archbishop Venables said in a telephone interview from Buenos Aires. "I mean, this is only my humble opinion, but if somebody really wants to talk to me, they can pick up the phone and talk to me.
"Do you write a personal letter, between primates, on the Internet if you seriously want a personal dialogue?"
The Canadian Primate's letter can be seen here. An Anglican Journal piece is here. The National Post article is here.
While there is much to discuss in this latest round of Anglican World Traveller, the thing that struck me was that the letter to Venables was posted on the internet before Venables received it. That's okay, though. This fast internet stuff happens to the best of us. On the other hand, I wonder if these two Primates have ever had a face to face?
Well Fred could dip into the contingency fund and go to GAFCON, Mmmm? Nah!
Posted by: Steve L | April 23, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Or Fred could go and set up an alternate Anglican Church in Buenos Aries - something with a more catholic approach to the sacraments - and possibly promoting the idea that Anglicanism can be more than a chaplaincy to English emigres.
Posted by: Malcolm+ | April 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Oh, and Fred can't go to GAFCON. Not allowed. GAFCON is an invitation only event.
Posted by: Malcolm+ | April 23, 2008 at 11:27 AM
And considering that Kate and he will get an earful from Lambeth, maybe those two and Gene should stay home and find a fourth for bridge. Now who is the first dummy?
Posted by: Steve L | April 23, 2008 at 04:10 PM
All I can say is, I am going to be out of the country, smoking a nargileh on the banks of the Bosphorus, and will put all thoughts of Anglican difficulties far behind me...
Posted by: joseph | April 23, 2008 at 10:50 PM
smoke one for me joe...smoke one for me
Posted by: Quinn | April 24, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Anglican difficulties? The way the primate keeps talking about that which unites us, you'd think there were no difficulties. Of course, if he keeps it up we'll soon be Unitarians.
Posted by: alex | April 24, 2008 at 08:59 AM