Statement from The Arctic House of Bishops
July 18th 2019
Statement from The Arctic House of Bishops
The Diocese of the Arctic remains a diocese within the Anglican Church of Canada, but must distance itself from those who violate the Marriage Canon. The implication of this is a state of “impaired communion”. By using the phrase “self-determining,” we are reserving the right not to affirm or submit to decisions that violate the doctrine of the church on marriage.
To all people in the Diocese of the Arctic,
Greetings in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty.
General Synod 2019 has just finished. After taking time to meet as bishops, to seek the Lord’s will for our Diocese, to pray, listen and talk, we have prepared this statement for our Diocese and for the Anglican Communion at large.
This General Synod has given us permission to decide for ourselves what direction we should take. We choose now to walk as the self-determining Anglican Church of Canada in the Arctic. Joshua 24:15 says “…choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
We understand that many have walked away from our Anglican Church of Canada’s doctrine, but we have not.
We are grateful that the vote to change the marriage canon failed but saving the marriage canon did not save the biblical understanding of marriage. We are saddened that so many bishops have defied General Synod and have announced an independent decision to approve same-sex marriage. We are now in a state of impaired communion.
The scriptures tell us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb 12:3) and to not allow ourselves to “grow weary in doing good.” (Gal 6:9). To that end we call on everyone in our Diocese to join us in a season of prayer, worship and the study of scripture. As bishops we will be interceding for you and looking to the Lord for guidance.
We ask you to join us in renewing our commitment to the mission of the Diocese of the Arctic: “to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, as revealed through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable all members of the Church to live out their Christian calling in parishes, in the wider church, in society at large and in the world.”
Our mission statement has guided us for generations and will, God willing, into the future. We follow in the footsteps of our Godly leaders from the past who have so faithfully shared the Gospel in this land.
Your servants in Christ,
Rt. Rev. David W Parsons Rt. Rev. Joey Royal Rt. Rev. Annie Ittoshat Rt. Rev. Lucy Netser
Bishop of the Arctic Suffragan Bishop Suffragan Bishop Suffragan Bishop
4910-51ST Street, PO Box 190, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N2 867-873-5432 FAX 867-873-8478
www.arcticnet.org
