Priests involved with Harvey should resign: bishop

ST. JOHN'S - The Anglican bishop for Labrador and eastern Newfoundland has called on his priests to disclose any involvement with a breakaway organization led by his predecessor, and do the right thing by resigning, giving up their licences to serve as ministers.

In a letter to parish priests in the diocese last month, Bishop Cyrus Pitman wrote that all ordination licences would be reissued with a mandatory renewing of vows in St. John's Jan. 21.

The letter leads off by referencing the former diocesan bishop, Donald Harvey of St. John's, and that his recent actions have "implications for this diocese ..., for the Anglican Church of Canada, and possibly for the wider Anglican community."

Harvey retired three years ago, and became known for his frustration with what he feels is a liberal agenda in the church, particularly not taking a stand against same-sex blessings. Affiliated with the orthodox-based Anglican Network in Canada, he recently came out of retirement to serve as a bishop with the another part of the Anglican communion, the Southern Cone, based out of South America, effectively leaving the Anglican Church of Canada.

Meanwhile, Pitman's letter also sends a warning that "no one, absolutely no one, from another diocese or another province is to be asked to exercise any ministry in any of our parishes except by the direct invitation of the diocesan bishop."

And he has dissolved the cathedral chapter, which included six clergy who were named canons.

Harvey told Transcontinental Media Thursday these are directives not traditionally carried out, so is suspicious the licences and appointments have been dropped simply because they are associated with his time as the bishop in the diocese.

"I'd like to think it has nothing or little to do with me," he commented. "Hurt is the accurate word, that he would see my actions ... would in some way cancel out any of the things I've done prior to that. Even if I left and became a non-Christian of sort, it shouldn't devalue any documents I had issued.

"The fact I'm going to another legitimate part of the same communion, should make it all the less the reason for having any problem with me."

Harvey doesn't believe there are any priests affiliated with his faction who will have to give up their licences, but is concerned about the message being sent out to Anglicans.
He said he thinks it will leave many church followers confused, especially if the actions are simply because of historical connections to his name.

"If that were the reason it's grossly unfair. ... I'm not sure if the reason why they're not being told is even there anyway. I think they're owed an explanation. I think the bishop has the authority to do those things ...but it's never been done before."

He said, however, it is possible for a priest to continue on in the church, unlike him, if they hold the same conservative views, but that any association with the Anglican Essentials, which is behind the Anglican Network, is frowned upon.

"What's a sad reflection of the Anglican Church of Canada as a whole is that they are very strong on talking about inclusivity and reaching out to all people with all kinds of views, unless you happen to be a conservative. Then you're an unpopular member."

The head of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, issued a letter earlier this week emphasizing the church has not yet changed its doctrine on marriage, but added there is federal legislation that allows for same-sex marriages.

Transcontinental Media left a message for Bishop Pitman, but the call was not returned.