The consecration of four more bishops by the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) [p. 6] will not be helpful to the AMiA's hopes to be recognized as a legitimate Anglican province. In its attempt to offer an alternative to those who feel the Episcopal Church has drifted into apostasy but who want to remain as Anglicans, the AMiA may be damaging whatever credibility it possessed.

The actions in Denver of two archbishops, or primates, of other Anglican provinces within the boundaries of the Episcopal Church without the permission of the Presiding Bishop or the Bishop of Colorado is also likely to harm the unity within the Anglican Communion, not to mention some of its provinces.

No less an authority than the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. George Carey, called the consecrations in Singapore in 2000 "at best, highly irregular, and at worst, simply schismatic." He termed the Denver consecrations "blatant disregard of our Anglican ecclesiology." The four Americans who received the laying on of hands appear to be validly consecrated simply because the consecrating bishops are part of the historic succession. However, the way their consecrations came about makes their episcopal ministries highly suspect.

The archbishops of Rwanda and South East Asia acted against the wishes of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in the case of South East Asia, without the support of that church's house of bishops. One must question on whose authority the Most Rev. Yong Ping Chung acted as a consecrating bishop when other bishops of South East Asia stated they believe their archbishop's action is a violation of their constitution. They also wrote in a letter to Archbishop Carey that they did not support the intention of their primate.

As with the consecrations in Singapore 18 months ago, these men were not elected by dioceses in Rwanda or South East Asia. Rather it appears they were chosen in Pawleys Island, S.C., headquarters of the AMiA, to minister to its 37 congregations in this country. AMiA describes their role as "to serve established parishes and new churches which celebrate the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the centrality of scripture and tradition as essential to their faith and mission."

The centrality of scripture and tradition may sound good to traditional Episcopalians. But they should be clear about at least one thing: The AMiA, while clinging to evangelical Anglican theology, is comprised mostly of clergy and congregations embracing charismatic renewal, a movement in Episcopal churches which has existed for only about 40 years.

When Bishops Charles Murphy and John Rodgers were consecrated in Singapore, Archbishop Carey said he could not recognize them in communion unless they are "fully reconciled to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church." That reconciliation has not yet taken place, which means all six of the AMiA's bishops are not recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Without that recognition, the AMiA will not be part of the Anglican Communion. Nor did the archbishop give authority to the provinces of Rwanda and South East Asia to consecrate bishops who would function in other parts of the world.

There are other concerns about the event in Denver. The two retired Episcopal bishops who took part may be subject to discipline for their second such action. And one must question the credibility of the AMiA when two of the four men selected to be consecrated are former assistants of Bishop Murphy's in Pawleys Island. Surely a better geographic representation could have been found.

We can see their reasons for departure, and that of others who have left the Episcopal Church, and even sympathize with the AMiA's concerns over the lack of leadership and the de-emphasis of the role of scripture in the church. On the other hand, in trying to uphold unity in both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, we are troubled by the disregard by the AMiA of the commitment the primates made to each other when they met in each of the last two years not to take action without proper consultation. The AMiA has made a bold statement with the consecrations in Denver. Unfortunately, it continues to raise more questions than it answers.