Michael Ingham is holding out a carrot to ANiC parishioners:

Dear Friends in Christ:

By now you have probably heard that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has ruled clearly in favour of the Diocese in the matter of parish property ownership.

This is the outcome of a law suit brought by the leaders of four congregations who have sought to take church property away from the Anglican Church of Canada.

The Anglican Church in this country and throughout the world is a big tent. We have a long history of welcome and respect for all people. What unites us is a strong commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, a tradition of beautiful and sacred worship, and a compassionate response to people in many kinds of need and hardship.

I intend to invite these congregations to remain in the buildings where they worship and to move forward together with us in the Diocese as one people under God. I intend to appoint new clergy who will respect and continue the worshipping style of the congregations, who will also work cooperatively with me and the Diocese.

My prayer is that we might all put this sad conflict behind us and get on with the mission of Jesus Christ. No good is served by bitterness or triumphalism. The decision of the Court is clear. And the purpose of the Church is equally clear. We are here to serve the mission of God and the well-being of all God’s children.

This is a day when we pray “to put away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” May it be so with us. Be assured that, whoever you are, you are welcome here.

Kindest regards,

The Right Reverend Michael Ingham

Bishop

I can’t help noticing that no invitation has been made to ANiC clergy, including J. I. Packer. So Ingham’s offer to the congregations is, abandon your priests, come home, learn to live with new cooperative priests that I will choose and will be loyal to me – and you can keep your buildings.

I have this eerie sense of déja vue. Ah, yes, the third temptation of Christ: “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

And Jesus replied, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”

Good answer.