No inter-communion between ACNA and LCMS

Discussion in 'Anglican and Christian News' started by Sean611, Jun 14, 2012.

  1. Sean611

    Sean611 Well-Known Member

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  2. Adam Warlock

    Adam Warlock Well-Known Member

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    Very interesting. Like you said, perhaps unsurprising. It's almost impossible to achieve full communion with the LCMS, though it was a worthwhile goal. LCMS is officially unwilling to accept Succession, and is really inflexible on Sacraments. ACNA doesn't look especially interested in forcing settlement of issues that have remained historically unsettled within Anglicanism. "Joint statements" about teaching or morals won't have nearly the impact of actual altar & pulpit fellowship.

    Intriguing piece of news, though.
     
  3. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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  4. Stalwart

    Stalwart Well-Known Member Anglican

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    I thought the Episcopalians managed to get the Lutherans to accept Succession, no? Could you elaborate on how they're inflexible in the Sacraments, also?
     
  5. Adam Warlock

    Adam Warlock Well-Known Member

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    That's the other half of the Lutheran divide, the ELCA. They were more open (not entirely so, but more so) to restoring Succession, so they received Episcopalian bishops' consecrations. This was the only way that ELCA pastors could celebrate the Eucharist in Episcopal parishes. The churches aren't merged, but they can share clergy in times of necessity; and Succession was an Episcopalian requirement.

    The LCMS, meanwile, is confessional; and the ELCA is basically not. The LCMS won't enter into communion with anyone who disagrees with the theology of the Book of Concord, especially regarding Sacraments. Ordinarily, they won't even worship with non-Lutherans or with Lutherans who are not confessional. So ACNA has three big areas of disagreement with the LCMS: undecided on women's ordination, multiple views of the Eucharist, and strict adherence to Succession. LCMS is very decided on WO, has only one acceptable view of the Eucharist, and rejects the need for Succession (for reasons that were originally practical before they became theological). It's a shame, because ACNA and LCMS have a lot in common, at least on paper.
     
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  6. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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    I agree.

    ...Scottish Monk