Comments from Archbishop Peter Jensen re Canon Jeffrey John

Canon Jeffrey John has indicated that he is withdrawing his acceptance of the appointment as Suffragan Bishop in Oxford Diocese. He explains he has taken this decision because he now understands that his consecration would cause damage to the unity of the Church, including the Anglican Communion.

There is no doubt that everyone must feel profoundly sorry for Dr John. This is a courageous decision, and we should remember him in our prayers. He was placed in an invidious position, indeed, one that he should never have been put into by other church leaders.

Dr John’s decision to withdraw has averted a major crisis in the Church of England. Anglicans must hope and trust that the Church of England will never again find itself in this situation.

Though the challenge facing the Church of England is lessened, a range of issues remains. The crisis for the worldwide Anglican Church continues.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Communion’s leadership, now has to decide what to do about parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster, Canada, as well as the many faithful, Bible believing bishops, clergy and laypeople in the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Those Anglicans need to be assured from the highest levels of leadership in the Anglican Communion that they are recognised as authentic, mainstream Anglicans. They must also receive protection of their property, and protection of their continuing rights to receive ministry according to the biblical Anglican tradition that they have always believed and to which they are committed. Protection of the succession of biblically faithful leaders of congregations and dioceses must also be ensured.

We continue to pray for all leaders in the Anglican Communion that they would heed the teaching of Scripture in their own life and witness.

Dr Peter F Jensen
Archbishop of Sydney
7th July 2003

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