The Anglican Province of Christ the King

... has, by apostolic direction, withdrawn its congregations from episcopalnet.org's 1928 BCP Congregations in the United States. Their bishops decided that "it is simply not appropriate to have our parishes listed on the web page of a vigante diocese." To read the whole letter from their council of bishops regarding this matter, click here for a PDF file of the letter.

Their long-established proclivity of "dis-association" has continued, with an October 2002 resolution declaring complete severance of all organized relationships with the ECUSA. The resolution, passed by both their national clericus and council of bishops, chillingly reads, "The bishops shall instruct all clergy to immediately terminate all organized relationships with any ECUSA [The Episcopal Church U.S.A.] organizations including membership in and sacramental relationships with any ECUSA organizations."

One wonders whether APCK clergy can now receive and cash their pension checks from ECUSA, as they have in the past. We believe that it can be assumed that "money matters" are probably excluded from this APCK Statement of Faith.

In any event...

"Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love."

1928 Book of Common Prayer, page 74

NOTE: The APCK* was founded by Archbishop Robert Sherwood Morse - An early champion of the continuing church movement. At the 1977 Saint Louis conference Morse declared, "I call upon you to exercise your apostolic commission - save yourselves, your children, your families, your friends and fellows. Leave this modern Egypt - the fleshpots of the Minneapolis Church - whose bishops act like Pharaohs, building pyramids of personal power and privilege. Leave this kingdom of death, this House of Pharaoh, and march with us into the desert." "Apostolic temptations" are still strong, and those words need to be recalled in our day also. Bishops must lead by example, showing the faithful - and those who watch us from afar - how to live in unity and godly love and get on with glorifying God and proclaiming the Gospel message by both word and deed, instead of acting like"...Pharaohs, building pyramids of personal power and privilege."

+David McMannes
Ordinary, Anglican Diocese of Arizona

*The APCK currently has three bishops: James Provence, Frederick Morrison and William C. Wiygul. Robert Morse is now retired. Prior APCK Bishops who left the jurisdiction include Bishops Cahoon, Stenhouse, McMannes, Murphy, LaCour, Waggener and Florenza.