Richard Hooker and Mission and Ministry in Covenant. Issue 2 (5th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hobday, Philip P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Anglican studies. Volume 18:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 234
• Publication Date: 2020-11-05
• Subjects: Anglicanism, -- bishops, -- ecclesiology, -- ecumenism, -- Methodism, -- Richard Hooker, -- theological method, -- tradition; Anglican Communion -- Periodicals; Anglicans -- History -- Periodicals; 283.05
• DOI: 10.1017/S1740355320000194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-3553

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on the theological method of one of Anglicanism's foremost theologians, this article defends key proposals of the recent Church of England-Methodist report, Mission and Ministry in Covenant . Some Anglicans have argued that it would be inconsistent with Anglican order to accept the proposed temporary period where Methodist ministers who had not been ordained by a bishop could serve in presbyteral Church of England roles. It finds clear theological rationale for the move in Hooker's understanding of the episcopate which is matched in Anglicanism's official formularies and its recent ecumenical dialogues. Highlighting clear historic and recent precedents for such a move, it demonstrates that bishops have never been considered so essential for Anglican order that they could never be dispensed with. Proposals like those in MMC can therefore be conscientiously accepted as consistent with Anglican self-understanding by the Church of England and other provinces considering such steps.