BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Seven Anglican archbishops from Africa recently visited the United States, supporting a burgeoning movement that began with Episcopalians disenchanted over “liberal” theology, including the acceptance of homosexuality.
The bishops — who represent as many as 25 percent of the 77 million Anglicans worldwide — were a main draw for more than 800 people attending a meeting of the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) Jan. 11–15 in Birmingham.
Terrell Glenn, a former Episcopal priest now affiliated with the Anglican Mission, told The Associated Press that the presence of the bishops was an encouragement to the 5-year-old movement. “Their presence here is a statement that says, ‘What you are doing is good,’” said Glenn of Pawleys Island, S.C., where the AMiA is headquartered.
The Anglican Mission was formed in 2000 as leaders outside the United States grew increasingly worried about the U.S. church, where Episcopalians and other mainline congregations have been losing members for decades. About 100 U.S. churches and small groups are now affiliated with the Anglican Mission, and fewer than half are congregations that formerly identified themselves as Episcopalian, said Jay Greener, a spokesman for the group. St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Mountain Brook was host church for the event. (TAB)
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