CP: Is there something in particular that pushed or accelerated the creation of this new structure?
Minns: I think in some ways yes. The fact that these large groups - what they call the dioceses - left added some impetus to that. And then I think the Jerusalem conference was such a tremendous, positive experience. When they said “we want you to get organised in America, so get on with it,” so we had essentially been given the challenge to do this.
CP: I need a little clarity on some of the structures. CANA is a body for churches in all of North America and it recently established a second district, the District of the Great Lakes. It seems that CANA is already serving the purpose of this new emerging North American province.
Minns: I think in some ways we’re modelling that but we’re also part of a much bigger picture. But you’re absolutely correct. We’ve already started working on the structure that’s needed.
CP: So CANA would just be a part of the new province that’s forming?
Minns: Yes. I think, for example, the Great Lakes or this District of Virginia could very well – because we’ve already got them working in this kind of organised way – could very well quickly become a diocese within the new church. We’re not sure how that’s all going to work yet but what I’m saying is we’ve been doing the work of helping people get organised and work together so that that’s a better preparation essentially for the new church. You’re right, it is confusing because we started with lots of different strands and now we’re trying to bring them all together.
CP: Critics of the new province say it will be a cause for more division in the Anglican Communion, with some bishops recognising it and some not. Your thoughts?
Minns: The division’s already there. Division has been there since 2003. I think we’re trying to overcome that division and bring people together so I think there will be less division in this country. There is a division in the Communion. I think that was highlighted at the Lambeth Conference when 230 bishops wouldn’t show up. The division’s there. We’re trying to find a way to overcome that and become less divided. I think there are some people who are wanting to pretend it’s not there yet … they just hope it’ll work out but the reality is there and I think we’re saying we want to be practical and find a way forward.
CP: How important is it for this new structure to be recognised by the Archbishop of Canterbury? Some say without recognition, it’s not following Anglican tradition.
Minns: I think part of the problem right now is that the Anglican Church is a global church. It started as an outgrowth of England. But in that sense, I think we’re not post-colonial. We’ve now past that whole colonial era. So I think what we’re looking for is a structure that reflects that where there’s genuine authority given to people other than the Archbishop of Canterbury. For example, the primate of the Church of Nigeria, there’s 20 million members there. It’s a far bigger province than any other province. The idea somehow that he has to ask permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury to do anything is a bit silly. It’s also a bit of the old colonial mindset. So I think there’s need for some new structures. And I think that’s what we hope will come out of this. We’re an international church and yet right now the leadership still looks like the old British Empire. So that needs to change.
