CEEC Statement concerning the Diocese of Recife:

We are concerned by recent events in the Diocese of Recife in the Anglican Church of Brazil. We are disturbed that no allowance is made for freedom of conscience for those whose theological position differs from that of both the diocese and province. We view the deposition and excommunication of 37 members of its clergy without due legal process as precipitous, unconstitutional and unchristian.

We consider that this constitutes persecution of those who wish to uphold biblical and traditional Anglican teaching on human sexuality. Furthermore, this appears to be an attempt to purge the Diocese of orthodoxy and to create one which has abandoned traditional Anglican teaching.

We affirm our support for the Rt Rev Robinson Cavilcanti, Bishop of Recife, and those standing with him in faithfulness to the historic biblical teaching of Anglicanism. We note that those involved are faithful pastors and teachers, including members of Anglican mission agencies, all of whom are concerned for the mission of the church. It is ministry such as theirs which, contrary to the rest of the Diocese, is resulting in spiritual growth and practical Christianity as evidenced, for instance, by the work of the Reverend Simea Meldrum on the rubbish tips of Olinda.

This critical situation is the latest development in the crisis affecting the whole of the Anglican Communion and precipitated by the actions of the Episcopal Church USA and the Church of Canada. It further illustrates that, unless clear and decisive action is taken without delay, the unity of the Anglican Communion will inevitably take a further step towards terminal decline. With particular regard to the situation in Brazil, we ask that the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference address this issue as a matter of urgency.

We cannot regard those who persistently depart from historic and orthodox Anglican teaching as being in communion with those who seek to remain true to the traditional and biblical foundations of the Anglican Church. Those who long to reach a dying world with the transforming news of God’s love in Christ should not be expected to tolerate being compromised by those whose liberal agenda presents a false message and distracts us from our task of mission.

We urge all those who share our concerns to pray that the Anglican Church may repent of the sin which mars our common life; may reaffirm our commitment to the authority of Scripture in all matters of belief and behaviour and may be renewed in our task of reaching the world with the Gospel of Christ.

The Rt Revd Wallace Benn
The Ven Paul Gardner
The Revd Nick Wynne-Jones

for the Church of England Evangelical Council
13 September 2005

See also Ruth Gledhill's comments on the Recife situation by clicking here.