ALTERNATIVES to diocesan chrism eucharists are being organised this year in conjunction with the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), as part of a “de facto parallel province” for opponents of the introduction of church blessings for same-sex couples.
In an email to supporters, the CEEC’s national director, Canon John Dunnett, wrote: “With their ongoing concerns with regards to Living in Love and Faith, we know that many clergy across the country feel in good conscience unable to attend the traditional Chrism Mass service in their diocese. So we are offering two alternative services, in keeping with the Alliance’s construction of the de facto parallel province.”
The Alliance, which comprises members of Evangelical as well as traditional Catholic groups in the C of E, warned last summer that they would create a “de facto parallel province” with “pastoral oversight from bishops who remain faithful to orthodox teaching on marriage and sexuality” (News, 28 June 2024).
“The challenge is that the chrism mass expresses a degree of unity between clergy and bishops which for many is problematic at this time,” Canon Dunnett told the Church Times on Tuesday.
The services were “a chance for clergy to reaffirm their call to ordained ministry, their commitment to the people God has called them to serve, and their identity as Anglicans”, he said:
“We hope and pray that this provision will help keep people on ‘the good ship’ C of E whilst the choppy waters of impaired fellowship swirl around.”
The director of the Charismatic-renewal organisation ReSource, the Revd Dr Christopher Landau, however, wrote on social media that he felt a “deep sadness” about the services.
“They are another sign that we fail to give the fostering of loving unity within the church the priority it deserves. And it feels like the holiest week of the year is becoming unnecessarily politicised,” he wrote.
Alternative chrism masses have taken place for several decades as part of arrangements for Catholic clergy with objections to the ordination of women.
The CEEC held a small online service last year as an alternative to diocesan chrism eucharists, but this is being scaled up this year, with a service also being held in person in London, at St James the Less, Pimlico.
An online service on Tuesday 12 April will be led by the Rt Revd Julian Henderson, formerly Bishop of Blackburn, and the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair, formerly Bishop of Birkenhead.
The next day, the Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, formerly Bishop of Willesden, will lead the service in Pimlico, which is being coordinated by the London Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship — a regional grouping of the CEEC.
This service will be public, and clergy across the country, not just those based in London, are invited to attend.
