Should The Episcopal Church Create a Missionary Diocese in Europe?. Issue 2 (5th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whalon, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Journal of Anglican studies. Volume 18:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2020-11-05
• Subjects: Anglican, -- Communion, -- ecclesiology, -- Episcopal Church, -- Europe, -- jurisdictions, -- mission; Anglican Communion -- Periodicals; Anglicans -- History -- Periodicals; 283.05
• DOI: 10.1017/S1740355320000236
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-3553

Abstract

Abstract: There are four Anglican jurisdictions in continental Europe. Two are national churches, Spain and Portugal; two are non-geographical jurisdictions serving persons not geographical regions. These four have overlaps among themselves; they also overlap with full-communion partners. The Episcopal Church's Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe is not officially a diocese, though it acts like one. Like the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe, its mission is not limited geographically. The competition unwittingly engendered creates conflict that detracts from the part of God's mission accorded to each Church. This essay argues that creating an official Episcopal diocese in Europe is not the way forward, if common care for that mission is and should be the primary concern of all.