The Continuing Anglicans
Credible Movement or Ecclesiastical Dead End?
by Michael F. Gallo
Although the story of the so-called Continuing Anglicans is relatively unknown outside certain conservative Anglican (Episcopal) circles, it is one which deserves wider attention. It is an example of one particular approach in the contest for orthodoxy, and there are lessons here, both positive and negative, for all orthodox-minded Christians. It provides a revealing test case relevant to similar battles which are either being waged now or will soon be waged in other churches. What is more, the experience of Continuing Anglicans provides a fascinating, if troubling, study in catholicity and cooperation (or lack thereof): how well can Christians who take their faith seriously work together?
While in the ’70s and ’80s over a million communicants left the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA), only a relative handful made their way into the Continuing Anglican churches. There are only about twenty thousand Continuing Anglicans in the USA presently. Officially, these Continuing Anglicans are not even part of the Anglican communion, that rather loose confederation of national churches in communion with the archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England. At best, they are a movement on the periphery. ECUSA is the sole recognized Anglican church in the United States.
Since Continuing Anglicans left ECUSA for varied, though often related reasons, the Continuing Anglicans are a diverse and as yet fragmented lot. Of the twenty or so independent Continuing Anglican groups in the U.S., most of which are relatively small, there are seven major groups which will necessarily be the focus of attention here. I cite them as follows in the order of their founding:
1) The American Episcopal Church (AEC), founded in 1968, is now led by the Britisher the Most Rev. Anthony F. M. Clavier. They have approximately 4,000 members in 100 parishes, located primarily on the East Coast.
2) The Anglican Episcopal Church of North America (AECNA), which has been called the AEC of the West Coast, has grown to 15 parishes with about 1,000 since its founding in 1972. The Most Rev. Walter Hollis Adams, another Britisher, is founder and current head.
3) The Diocese of Christ the King (DCK), is an independent non-geographical diocese, primarily on the West Coast. It was founded in 1977 by the Rt. Rev. Robert S. Morse, who continues as its head. The DCK claims nearly 3,000 members and 35 parishes.
4) The Anglican Diocese of the Southwest has survived two “broken marriages” with other groups since its founding in 1978. Now once again independent, the 21-congregation diocese is led by the Rt. Rev. Edwin Caudill.
5) The Anglican Catholic Church (ACC), established in 1979, is today the largest group, with over 150 congregations and about 5,000 total members, led by the Most Rev. Louis W. Falk.
6) The Anglican Rite Jurisdiction of the Americas (ARJA), is another 1979 group, headed by the Most Rev. G. Wayne Craig. This group numbers about 400 in the USA with a very significant mission in Haiti, approximately 1,100 strong.
Michael F. Gallo , a graduate of Wheaton College, is a public school teacher in Chicago, Illinois.
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