Montreal proposes ‘shared episcopal ministry’ plan for traditionalists: The Church of England Newspaper, Oct 22, 2010, p 6.

Bishop Barry Clarke of Montreal

First published in The Church of England Newspaper.

Montreal will launch its own ‘flying bishop’ in 2011 to serve traditionalists opposed to the diocese’s introduction of same-sex unions.

Speaking to the Oct 15 session of the diocesan synod, Bishop Barry Clarke said he will present to the January meeting of the diocesan council a plan for “shared episcopal ministry.”

“This does not mean that I am abdicating my responsibility as the diocesan bishop to those clergy and parishes,” the bishop said in his presidential address to the synod.

This will be a “shared ministry with a fellow bishop. This is a pastoral response to a particular need at this time in our church. The clergy and parishes that may be involved in this shared episcopal ministry will still have to meet their full responsibility to live within the canons and the constitution of our diocese and of our church.”

The concept of “shared episcopal ministry” was recommended by the 2004 Windsor Report as a way to provide pastoral oversight for traditionalists at odds with the innovations of doctrine and discipline made by some American and Canadian dioceses.   “I have met in prayer and in consultation with those members of the diocesan family who have made this request of me. It is my intent to move forward and honour their request,” Bishop Clarke said according to a report by the Montreal Anglican.

Details on the plan, including the name of the alternate bishops, will be made public after the January council meeting.

The decision to give traditionalists alternative episcopal oversight comes as the diocese moves forward with rites for the blessings of gay civil marriages.  At the 2008 meeting of synod, Bishop Clarke said Montreal had been “called by God to speak with a prophetic voice,” on gay blessings.

“It is our voice that is called to affirm that all people are loved, valued and precious before God and the Church. It is our voice that is called to affirm that all unions of faithful love and life-long commitment are worthy of God’s blessing and a means of God’s grace. In time our voice will either be affirmed by the body, or stand corrected,” the bishop said.

At their 2008 meeting the Canadian House of Bishops released a statement affirming their “shared episcopal ministry” scheme that would allow alternative pastoral oversight for traditionalists at odds with liberal bishops.  Montreal will be the first to act upon the proposal.

Past programmes for alternative episcopal oversight in Canada have foundered, however, with liberal bishops and their traditionalist congregations unable to agree on the bishops providing the oversight and their powers.