On the other hand I think we are also seeing Anglicanism become a multi-polar universe, so really what’s happening is that the Episcopal Church in the USA is becoming the rallying point for liberal Anglicans. Traditional structures of the ACC and the Lambeth Conference are for the middle of the road countries, and GAFCON fellowship has become the rallying point for evangelical and Anglo-Catholic Christians. Anglicans will likely find themselves somewhere between those three poles; some will belong to GAFCON, Lambeth and TEC; others will belong to one or two over the course of time.
from here.
how does this differ from this schisms in other protestant sects?
Posted by: anthony | June 27, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I think that one of the differences is that the new group is re-uniting with worldwide Anglicans, some of whom would say that the North American anglicans entered schism a few years ago. Time will tell how well "recognized" the new group will be. Ferris is suggesting that this new group is actually healing schism by making stronger ties with a large majority of worldwide Anglicans.
In an interesting sidenote, the patriach of the Orthodox Church of America has said he will recognize the new group (rather than the current Episcopal Church) as the Anglican body he will deal with ecumenically. I'd say that's a big step away from the pattern of Protestant schism-making...
Posted by: joseph | June 28, 2009 at 10:33 PM