Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to the Southern Cone we go . . .

Anyone out there have a copy of the constitution and canons of the Province of the Southern Cone? If so, please send it to me at ks1246@aol.com.
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NOTE: Go to this link to see Dave Walker's take on the Southern Cone:
http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/11/15/the-southern-cone/

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ANY information on the Southern Cone will be helpful., especially their polity. I know the basic stuff -- that it is a small province with only about 30,000 members spread over several countries. I know they don't ordain women to the priesthood or episcopate. Duh! Why else would Bp. Iker even consider being rescued by them?

I ask these questions because here is the new resolution that will come before the Fort Worth diocesan convention this weekend:
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Resolution 2
A Response to the Invitation of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Whereas, it is the resolve of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to remain within the family of the Anglican Communion while dissociating itself from the moral, theological, and disciplinary innovations of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America;

And whereas, the Synod of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, meeting Nov. 5-7, 2007, voted to "welcome into membership of our Province on an emergency and pastoral basis" those dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America who share this resolve;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 25th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth extend its sincere thanks to the Synod of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, and to its Primate, the Most Reverend Gregory J. Venables, for the generous and fraternal invitation to join their Province;

And, be it further resolved, that the Bishop and Standing Committee prepare a report for this diocese on the constitutional and canonical implications and means of accepting this invitation.
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It is in reponse to this resolution passed by the Provincial Synod of the Southern Cone on Nov. 7:

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Resolution of the Provincial Synod of the Southern Cone of America

We, recognizing with great thankfulness the dioceses and parishes, clergy and laity of the Episcopal Church in the USA who have continually made clear their desire to remain faithful to the historic faith and order of the Anglican Communion 1,

Given that Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference of 1998 articulated the clear teaching of the Anglican Communion with regard to human sexuality, and that this teaching has been widely ignored by many dioceses, parishes, and clergy of the Episcopal Church in their life and teaching,

Given that the Episcopal Church, against the clearly expressed voice of the Primates at their meeting of October 2003 2, notoriously consecrated as bishop a priest who was in a known homosexual relationship, an act which has torn the fabric and trust within the Communion,

Given the failure of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church to give a clear and
unequivocal response to the Windsor Report 3,

Given that the House of Bishops and the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church have rejected the pastoral scheme proposed by the Primates in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in February 2007,

Given that no adequate response has been made by the Episcopal Church to the questions set by the Primates in Dar es Salaam4 and that a significant number of bishops have publicly expressed their intention to permit the blessing of same-sex unions,

Given the widespread use of lawsuits and threats against dioceses and parishes, as well as bishops, clergy and laity who seek to remain faithful to the historic faith and order of the Anglican Communion,

And until the Episcopal Church

* Repent and comply with the requests of the Windsor Report
* Respect the conscience of the parishes and dioceses which wish to adhere to the
theological moral and pastoral norms of the Anglican Communion once held by the
Episcopal Church
* And its Presiding Bishop and officers cease to pursue and intimidate these dioceses and parishes by means of lawsuits, confiscations, and depositions
or
* Until adequate effective and acceptable alternative Primatial and Episcopal oversight be offered as recommended by the Primates in Dar es Salaam
Or
* Until the Archbishop of Canterbury take clear action and respond effectively to the
legitimate and urgent concern of the alienated parishes and dioceses of the Episcopal
Church, offering pastoral leadership to protect them

WE the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America meeting in Valpariso, Chile, in November 2007 welcome into the membership of our province on an emergency and pastoral basis those dioceses of the Episcopal Church taking appropriate action to separate from that Church.

We do this in order that such dioceses may continue in the mainstream of the Anglican Communion and be faithful to its Biblical and historic teaching and witness; and we pray for God's grace and help to resolve the painful, critical situation in our beloved Anglican Communion.

Received 11/09/07, emphasis added to final two paragraphs.
1 These norms were held by the Episcopal Church until recent years.

2 Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold signed the letter from the Primates requesting ECUSA not to proceed with the consecration, and then within days presided at the consecration.

3 Accepted by the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council.

4 The Dar es Salaam Communiqué asked the Episcopal Church to make clear that they would not approve the blessing of same-sex unions, nor approve the consecration of bishops living in sexual relations outside holy matrimony, between a man and a woman in lifelong union. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church was at this meeting and publicly accepted the content of the Communiqué.

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There. Do you think we have enough manly men coming to rescue the poor guys in this diocese who are being threatened -- threatened!! -- by a woman!

That's how Bp. Katharine's letter is being spun here -- as a threat of reprisal if Bp. Iker dares to try to protect "the faith once delivered". These guys aren't big on accepting consequences or on being held accountable for their actions.

While the news of the invitation from the Southern Cone is absolutely no surprise to anyone who have been paying attention here, the reaction to the hard reality of this will be interesting to watch.

I have this mental picture of all these very small people whistling as they go off down south -- metaphorically speaking, of course. No one intends to actually GO to South America. Oh no.

They all intend to stay right here in Fort Worth, in the same buildings they are in right now.

That is going to be a problem for all the Episcopalians who are already in those buildings and who have no plans to "go" anywhere.