When will the split come, officially? Surely it's inevitable.

This week the newspapers tell us how the CCP have prepared a constitution for how breakaway dioceses in the U S are to be goverened. CCP will subscribe to the J D (Gafcon). Bishop Robert Duncan denies that this means a new province will be launched (yet), instead it is simply a “step toward the goal of a biblical, missionary and united Anglican Church in North America.” He wants these churches to become members of FOCA. The congregations in these breakaway dioceses have grown by just under 300,000 people over the last year.

Once the constitution is accepted by the Gafcon primates’ council consisting of, amongst others, Archbishops Akinola, Orombi and Nzimbi and Gregory Venables of the Southern Cone, and Peter Jensen, it is suspected they will then begin the process of creating a Third Province in North America. Even though meetings have bee scheduled with the AB of C before their early 09 primates meeting, his approval is not a actually a prerequisite anyway for their creation of a new Province. Article 3 of the Constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council vests this authority with the primates: “With the assent of two-thirds of the Primates of the Anglican Communion, the council may alter or add to the schedule” of members. At their early 09 meeting, they will find a majority in sympathy with their views and so Rowan Williams is unlikely to cause them any problems. Or is he?