I think the good father is close, but wrong on the last line, which I believe should read "Lambeth Palace/Anglican Communion Office Anglicanism has failed."

I say this because the orthodox majority as measured by seats in the pew:

* Definitely wishes to pin down TEC.
* Would definitely place on probation those who violate doctrine.
* Would understand and accommodate those whose moral actions were non-normative to structure and discipline
* Is part of a vibrant and growing Global South Anglican Christianity.

What do you do with a meat market that weighs their thumb along with the meat? Replace the manager! What should the Anglican Communion do with those in high or low positions who always ask others but weigh their own thumbs? Bishops Robinson and Schori are not the problems; they are the symptom of a problem, the answer of which is found at the top, looking wistfully out of Lambeth's window.

In the Advent Letter there is no call for TEC to repent or even do better, but rather for all of us to accept that they are locked into their iniquity and we have to accept that as it is. They stay at the table, and the orthodox have the burden of trying to figure out how to live with them. Additionally, it is clear that the AMiA, CANA, Kenya and Uganda USA bishops are not only unwelcome or unworthy to sit with Dr. Williams, but he questions their LEGITIMACY. In one quote he says, "And while ... I understand and respect the good faith of those who have felt called to provide additional episcopal oversight in the USA, there can be no doubt that these ordinations have not been encouraged or legitimized by the Communion overall." It is finally not those few of us that he is really attacking, but our Primates: Akinola, Orombi, Nzimbi, and Kolini. The actions of Primate Venables really upset his sense of order as well, because now Canadian and American bishops and one entire diocese have changed provinces and moved to the Southern Cone.

Dr. Williams announces in his letter that he is seizing yet more power and initiative, principally to punish the orthodox, by several new actions. He is launching "professionally facilitated conversations" between TEC and those they are most in dispute with to see if there is any better level of mutual understanding. What part of the last ten years does he not understand? The TEC revisionists do understand us and fear us. That is why, like pharaoh, they are trying to prevent our multiplying. And we do understand the revisionists, and we are determined not to go to hell with them, no matter what the cost of our resistance. In launching this new action, he also announces that he knows who he will pick to do it. This is not collegial. This is power.

He also intends to convene a small group of Primates, hand picked by himself, to work supposedly with other groups to decide "whether...it is possible for provinces or individual bishops at odds with the expressed mind of the Communion {does he mean boundary crossings or adherence to Lambeth 1.10?} to participate fully in representative Communion agencies, including ecumenical bodies." This means that those Primates who have done the morally right thing could be kicked off of Communion boards and bodies for their "disruptive actions." Then concerning those of us who are US Anglican bishops answering to overseas Primates, this hand-picked group of primates "will thus also be bound to consider the exact status of bishops ordained by one province for ministry in another."

The questions for today are, "Do we have to go through Canterbury to be Christian?" and "Do we have to go through Lambeth Palace to be Anglican?" Many will be searching their souls to deal with these questions. Dr. Williams also asks "who speaks for Anglicanism?" and I would suggest that the faithful orthodox Anglicans themselves speak for the Anglicanism of today and the future. Dr. Williams speaks for the dead and dying Anglicanism of a tired and confused structure.

In this season of Advent, I am sustained knowing that Jesus is coming back in power and glory, and that His reign will be perfect. All the troubles of this present age will fall away, and those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be gathered up and live with him forever. Amen.

Have a Blessed Advent!

--The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr. is President and CEO of the American Anglican Council and a bishop of CANA