The
Anglican Independent Communion - Original Province
also known as the Anglican Independent Communion in
the Americas is rooted in the faith and practice
of “MATER ECCLESIA ANGLICANA” as expressed by
the rich heritage of our Church of England Traditions. We
look to the early Ecumenical Councils of the Church for guidance
and direction on matters of faith, morality and Church discipline.
We strive in our daily living and according to our several
callings to incorporate into our lives this ever-abiding living
expression of our Anglican spirituality and ethos.
The Saints, Divines of the sixteenth century and Fathers of
the Oxford Movement had at the center of their lives simplicity,
authenticity and holiness. IT WAS THE SANCTITY AND DISCIPLINE
employed by the British Church which resulted in her ability
for most of her glorious history to keep herself free of powerful
political and foreign institutions which came to be one of
her greatest strengths. It enabled her to form her life, witness
and liturgical expression by and for the “common folk”.
This simple lifestyle meant our Mother Church of England had
no difficulty in communicating her message of “hope
in Christ” to all who sought solace within her open
arms. Her approach to evangelizing was gentle, humble and
altogether more sensitive to the “unchurched”
as opposed to the methodology used in other national churches.
Historically and philosophically the cultural differences
between “MATER ECCLESIA ANGLICANA” (literally
translated as Mother Church of England) and
the Roman Church can be explained this way: British monks
lived in conspicuous poverty; Roman monks lived in luxury.
British bishops practiced humility. Roman bishops referred
to themselves as “princes”. British bishops strove
to “be
in the world yet not of it”; Roman bishops were noted
for pompous behavior and extravagant lifestyles. British bishops
were pastors of their parochial charges; Roman bishops were
lord - monarchs of their dioceses. The British cleric lead
a life of example, which spoke loudly, “Do as I do and
walk along with me”; the Roman clergy often times in
lifestyle gave the message, “Do as I say and obey me
or else”. Our
Church of England roots point us in the Original Province
to a life of service to others and holiness expressed in the
simplicity and beauty of the Gospel. It also gives rise for
the Church to challenge her members “to walk worthy
of their calling”. In the ancient history of “MATER
ECCLESIA ANGLICANA”, there were two expressions of the
Christian faith: one that was hopelessly linked to the values
of an empire in the midst of chaos and decay and the other
committed to live out the Gospel message of Love without counting
the personal cost to do so. It is this unfortunate case of
“history repeating itself” which has caused the
Original Province to reclaim for “MATTER ECCLESIA
ANGLICANA” the latter and to rise up together in a united
voice with “a loud cry” against the former. In
this regard we stand with St. John the Baptist as “the
voice crying out” in this modern era wilderness.
The devotion and high regard the Church of England held for
the Sacred Scriptures has never been challenged by even her
harshest critics and detractors. It was the Holy Bible in
its entirety along with the living expression of her Sacramental
life, which allowed the British Church to maintain her witness
and fidelity to ORTHODOX FAITH AND PRACTICE. Our Sarum heritage
bears strong witness to the equality placed upon WORD AND
SACRAMENT and is a living testimony to what can happen (as
in the Roman and Non-Conformist communions) when one is sacrificed
in deference to the other. “The Word was made flesh
and dwelt among us”. There is no plainer passage of
SCRIPTURE which makes this point any clearer. In the Original
Province it is “‘THE WORD” EXPRESSED IN
BIBLICAL PREACHING AND MADE PRESENT “AMONG US”
IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST WHICH UNITES US WITH THOSE BISHOPS FROM
OUR MOTHER CHURCH OF ENGLAND WHO WERE PRESENT AT THE COUNCIL
OF ARLES IN 314 A.D.
It
was this deep reverence for the Sacred Scriptures and the
Holy Eucharist which kept “MATER ECCLESIA ANGLICANA”
free of heresy and the extremes of liturgical innovation.
Our Clergy make this a part of our daily devotional life and
renew this COVENANT WITH THE ALMIGHTY in public liturgical
celebrations as well. This resolve is passed on to our laity,
as well as the expectation and responsibility which follows
along with it.
The
Anglican Independent Communion - Original Province
is a true theological, historical, liturgical expression and
living testimony of the Historic Church of England. We have
no desire as others to be “continuing” anything.
We are simply “MAINTAINING” the faith once and
for all given” with “NO CONTROVERSY OR COMPROMISE”.
In our daily walk with Christ we can be said to be “continuing”
to live out the Gospel of Peace and share this gift with all
those who the Almighty brings before us. THE CLERGY AND FAITHFUL
OF OUR COMMUNION UNDERSTAND “MAINTAINING” AS THE
TASK AND OBLIGATION OF THE CHURCH TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM AT
EVERY POSSIBLE LEVEL. “CONTINUING” AS FAITHFUL
MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST IN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE HOLY TRINITY!
May these words be a Blessing to you and a greater insight
into the mission of the Original Province.
If anything you read occasions further questions or interest,
please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, email or
the postal service. We invite you to join one of our worshipping
communities and “PRAY FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF CHRIST’S
CHURCH” as a part of us!
PRO
DEO ET HUMANITATE,
++Josephus
Johannes Palumbo, OCR, D.Min.
Archbishop - Metropolitan
