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How long until Episcopalians declare “full communion” with the ELCA? [12] In 2001 the ELCA achieved “full communion” with the EC. But the EC didn’t reciprocate; it merely entered the process of achieving full communion. For the EC “full communion” “will not be fully realized” and declared until “there is a shared ministry of bishops in the historic episcopate” (CCM ¶14).
Almost all ELCA bishops are in the historic episcopate now. Are Episcopalians waiting until every last ELCA bishop is kosher? [13]
Ordained deacons under “study” (wink, wink). CCM plays a double game: it states that the ELCA is not required to have ordained deacons, but the ELCA (with the EC) is required to keep “studying” ordained deacons.[14]
At the Episcopal General Convention the resolution (A041) to adopt CCM identified CCM ¶18 as committing the ELCA to eventually adopt the full threefold orders of the historic episcopate (bishop, priest/pastor, deacon).[15]
You know the drill: Ordained deacons will be “studied” until the desired outcome is achieved.
When will “the notorious bylaw” be dropped? The Episcopal Deputy for Ecumenical Relations, the Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, called the ELCA’s “exceptions clause” the “notorious bylaw.”[16] For Episcopalians pastors/priests cannot ordain because they don’t have the power. Only bishops have the power.
Fewer than 1% of ELCA clergy have been ordained since 2001 under “the notorious bylaw.” ELCA bishops across the country have shut it down, rejecting requests for exceptional ordinations. It’s only a matter of time before the ELCA Church Council drops the bylaw.
Bishops for life. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson has said that when he retires, he’s no longer a bishop. However, he has been ordained into the sacramental, historic episcopate which means once a bishop, always a bishop. Ordination into Holy Orders involves
[11] See the following blog posts at www.crossalone.us: “Lutherans: Hands Off!” (Feb 18, 2010); “Everything — except what really counts,” March 2, 2010; “Lutherans: Hands Off — Again” (May 19, 2010).
[12] See CCM ¶14: “…For the [ELCA] … full communion … will be realized at this time. For the Episcopal Church, full communion, although begun at the same time, will not be fully realized until … there is a shared ministry of bishops in the historic episcopate” (emphasis added).
[13]The Church of South India, formed in 1947, pioneered the union of Episcopal and non-Episcopal churches, but it wasn’t until 1968 (21 years later) that the Lambeth Conference fully recognized bishops from the Church of South India. Every bishop had to be kosher.
[14] “Both churches acknowledge that the diaconate, including its place within the threefold ministerial office and its relationship with all other ministries, is in need of continuing exploration, renewal, and reform, which they pledge to undertake in consultation with each other” (CCM ¶9; emphasis added).
[15] Episcopal Resolution AO41 to adopt CCM. Read it here.
[16] The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, in The Living Church, June 15, 2003.