African Primate
Rejects Inhibition of Moyer and
Questions Communion with Bennison

Primates Must Address "Broader Conflicts"
Which Led To Inhibition

IN A POWERFUL OPEN LETTER issued on the eve of the Primates' Meeting in Canterbury, an African archbishop has refused to recognize the inhibition of orthodox Episcopal priest David Moyer by Pennsylvania Bishop Charles Bennison, and has questioned whether he can remain in communion with Bennison.

The Most Rev. Dr. Bernard A. Malango of Central Africa also says it is "evident" in light of such incidents "that we, as primates of the [Anglican] Communion, have not exercised sufficient leadership when bishops depart from historic teaching or use the structures of the church to assault the faith and attack those who seek the Gospel's preservation."

Malango's letter is the strongest signal yet that escalating disturbance over the inhibition of Moyer - leader of Good Shepherd, Rosemont and of Forward in Faith-North America - could have an explosive effect on the April 10-16 gathering of Anglican primates (provincial leaders).

It also indicates that Malango, 59, who succeeded Archbishop Walter Khotso Makhulu as head of the Central African province last year, will be active for orthodoxy and unity among his colleagues. In his letter, Malango says he has asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to help ensure that the primates address Moyer's inhibition "and the broader conflicts which have led to it," asserting that it is "not reasonable" to do otherwise. He also has appealed for "urgent intervention" in the Bennison/Moyer situation by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

On March 1, Bennison ordered Moyer, 51, to cease priestly functions in his diocese for six months, after which the priest faces deposition without trial, unless he pens "a good faith retraction of his canonical failures," the bishop said. The order was based on a diocesan standing committee determination that Moyer has abandoned the communion of the church by actions the bishop sees as denying his authority - chiefly the refusal of Moyer and his vestry to allow him to make official visits to Good Shepherd, because they view Bennison, a pro-homosexual liberal who thinks the Church can rewrite the Bible, as a false teacher.

Writing with "a heavy heart," Malango says that the inhibition of a "godly priest" such as Moyer "is symptomatic of deeper problems in the...Communion, especially in ECUSA (the U.S. Episcopal Church): the erosion of foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. This situation must be addressed. To fail to do so threatens the future of the Anglican Communion."

The archbishop states that Fr. Moyer "is well known to me," and that he has observed the priest's ministry to be "faithful, his moral character above reproach, and his theology and practice of ministry sound. It is not reasonable to inhibit such a faithful priest for 'abandonment of ministry' when the center of the conflict with his bishop is desire to maintain the doctrine, discipline and faith of the church. It is also grossly unfair to the people of the parish and impacts the bonds that link us in communion. It is also not reasonable to fail to address Bishop Bennison's theology and actions."

The archbishop noted, too, that the initially-encouraging "covenant" on "supplemental pastoral care" recently okayed by Episcopal bishops "will mean little if it is not employed in situations like Pennsylvania," and if the issues which gave rise to the need for alternative oversight remain unaddressed.

And - whatever the primates do - he raises the question of how he will respond to the American situation. "While it has been our policy to happily accept the validity of the ministry of bishops and clergy from other provinces, sadly it appears no longer wise to do so indiscriminately," Malango states. "Situations must obviously now be evaluated individually."

He adds that Bennison's public statements and ban against Moyer demonstrate "the possibility of such grave theological deficiencies...that the very character of [the bishop's] ministry is called into question. I need to investigate...whether or not we can be in communion with Charles Bennison."

Conversely, Malango declares that: "As Archbishop and Primate of Central Africa I do not recognize this inhibition. I will continue to recognize Father Moyer as a priest in good standing in the Anglican Communion. He is welcome to function sacerdotally in our churches."

He concludes by urging "concerned people and parishes throughout the world to offer concerted prayer for these painful circumstances" and for "wisdom, courage and fidelity" to prevail at the Primates' Meeting.