Continuing Anglican MovementEdit
The Continuing Anglican Movement is a loose network of Anglican bodies formed in the late 20th century by congregations and dioceses that sought to preserve traditional Anglican doctrine, worship, and church order in the face of liberalizing changes within their mother churches. This umbrella includes jurisdictions such as the Anglican Province of America and the Anglican Church in America, and, in some cases, aligns with the broader international association known as the Traditional Anglican Communion. The movement is centered around a conviction that orderly succession, robust liturgy, and a conservative moral and doctrinal framework are essential to authentic Anglicanism.
Proponents argue that the movement seeks to safeguard the Anglican way of life as a continuous, historically rooted tradition rather than a purely national denomination merely adapting to shifting cultural norms. A defining feature is the insistence on historic episcopal succession, the authority of Scripture interpreted through the historic creeds, and a clean, reverent approach to worship that rejects what its adherents see as late-20th-century revisions in favor of continuity with the early Church and the English Reformation in its more traditional forms. In practice, this often means a preference for time-honored liturgies, distinctive sacramental theology, and local parish autonomy within a framework of episcopal oversight. The movement commonly roots its liturgical practice in the Book of Common Prayer, with emphasis on the classic editions that formed the backbone of Anglican worship in the English-speaking world, such as the 1662 and 1928 traditions Book of Common Prayer.
History
Origins and catalysts
The roots of the Continuing Anglican Movement lie in departures from larger Anglican bodies during the latter half of the 20th century, when a spectrum of bishops, priests, and laypeople grew uncomfortable with changes in liturgy, biblical interpretation, and social ethics. In several provinces, conservatives resisted the introduction of new liturgical rubrics, the adoption of female ordination, and broader revisions to Anglican teaching on sexuality and authority. This discontent coalesced into organized jurisdictions that sought to preserve what they described as the historic Anglican standard. The movement drew energy from a belief that the Anglican tradition has legitimate space for doctrinal clarity and liturgical beauty while maintaining continuity with the early Church.
Growth and formation of jurisdictions
Over time, multiple distinct ecclesial bodies crystallized under the banner of the Continuing Anglican Movement. Notable examples include the Anglican Province of America and the Anglican Church in America, among others that have operated as separate dioceses or parishes with varying structures but a shared emphasis on traditional order and worship. Some of these bodies aligned with the Traditional Anglican Communion, an international fellowship that seeks to sustain a conservative, communion-based form of Anglicanism outside the path of established national provinces. These developments reflect a broader pattern in which parishes maintained episcopal oversight, local autonomy, and a continuity of rites that hark back to earlier Anglican practice.
Global reach and current status
Today, congregations in North America, Africa, and parts of Europe participate in the Continuing Anglican network, often within a broader ecosystem of traditionalist Anglican groups. While the movement remains smaller than the historic national churches from which it arose, its adherents emphasize the enduring value of orderly church government, liturgical continuity, and doctrinal clarity as a bulwark against what they view as doctrinal drift within modern ecclesial cultures. The movement continues to navigate questions of ecumenism, inter-Anglican relations, and property or governance matters typical of schisms and realignments in Protestant and historic Christian churches.
Doctrinal and liturgical stance
Apostolic succession and episcopal governance: Central to the Continuing Anglican posture is the belief that proper authority and continuity come through unbroken episcopal succession. This underwrites not only sacramental legitimacy but also the integrity of church discipline and teaching. Apostolic succession is often cited alongside the historic episcopate as a guarantor of doctrinal fidelity.
Historic creeds and Anglican formularies: Adherents typically affirm the historic creeds (such as the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds) and the core Anglican formularies, especially the Thirty-Nine Articles, as interpreted within the Anglican tradition. The Book of Common Prayer serves as a primary source for worship, catechesis, and liturgical order, with attention to traditional rubrics and reverent liturgical style. Linkages to the general Book of Common Prayer reflect the central role of liturgy in shaping doctrine and practice.
Liturgy and worship: The movement favors liturgies that preserve a sense of the sacred, with clear sacraments and a traditional order of service. This often includes the use of chancel-centered worship, traditional music, and avoidance of newer rites that the adherents view as departures from established Anglican worship.
Scriptural and moral theology: Doctrinal positions generally emphasize a conservative reading of Scripture, with adherence to historic Anglican moral theology. Debates within the movement mirror broader tensions in Anglicanism around issues such as biblical authority, marriage, family life, and sexuality. The stance on ordination of women, for example, is typically conservative or complementary rather than affirming full inclusion in all orders of ministry.
Relationships with other Anglican bodies: The Continuing Anglican Movement positions itself as distinct from the Anglican Communion in its governance and theological trajectories while seeking to preserve a form of Anglican identity rooted in continuity with tradition. This often means limited or cautious engagement in ecumenical channels with the broader Anglican world, along with a preference for maintaining fellowship among like-minded traditionalist Anglicans.
Practices and formation
Parish life and diocesan structures: Local parishes emphasize reverent liturgy, strong catechesis, and active lay participation within a framework of episcopal oversight. Diocesan structures typically include bishops, priests, and a synod or convention that governs doctrine and discipline.
Education and catechesis: The movement prioritizes education in the historic faith and practice of Anglicanism, including the church’s historical creeds, sacraments, and liturgical tradition. Seminaries and training programs associated with Continuing Anglican bodies aim to prepare clergy who can sustain traditional worship and doctrine within their jurisdictions.
Community and continuity: A recurrent theme is continuity with earlier generations of Anglicans—bishops tracing their lineage back through Anglican succession, parishes with preserved liturgical forms, and schools or religious institutions aligned with traditional Anglican identity.
Controversies and debates
Ecumenism and intra-Anglican relations: A core source of debate concerns how far Continuing Anglicans should engage with the broader Anglican world and other Christian bodies. Critics argue that a heavy withdrawal from ecumenical and even intra-Anglican dialogue risks isolation and further fragmentation; supporters contend that principled separation protects doctrinal integrity and worship that adheres to long-standing Anglican standards.
Response to moral and social change: The movement’s conservatism on doctrinal and ethical issues places it at odds with newer theological and social developments in many mainstream churches. Proponents view this as preserving a reliable moral framework that has anchored Anglican identity for centuries; critics argue that this stance can hinder constructive engagement with wider society and impede mission.
Leadership, succession, and legitimacy: Disputes can arise over authority, the validity of orders, and the legitimacy of particular bishops or dioceses, especially in cases where multiple lineages claim continuity. The emphasis on strict succession can be seen by some outsiders as prioritizing form over pastoral reach, though supporters would argue that legitimacy and unity stem from recognizable and traceable apostolic succession.
Property and jurisdictional issues: As with many schisms, questions of church property, ownership, and legal jurisdiction can appear as parishes transition into Continuing Anglican bodies. Critics may view these moves as unnecessary fragmentation, while advocates frame them as necessary steps to preserve legitimate church life and prevent doctrinal drift.
Perceived sectarianism vs. mission: Critics sometimes characterize the movement as insular or exclusivist. Proponents respond by asserting that fidelity to historic Anglicanism enhances mission by offering a stable, coherent alternative for those seeking doctrinal certainty and liturgical depth rather than fashionable change.
Relationship to the broader Anglican world
The Continuing Anglican Movement positions itself as an alternative to, rather than a replacement for, the mainstream Anglican provinces. In practice, this means:
Not being part of the official Anglican Communion structure in most periods, while maintaining a sense of continuity with Anglican heritage through shared rites, theology, and succession.
Seeking dialogue with other traditionalist Anglicans and, in some cases, with other historic Christian communions that value liturgical continuity and episcopal governance, while preserving theological distinctions that define their identity.
Recognizing the importance of local church autonomy within a framework of alternating councils or synods that preserve doctrinal and liturgical fidelity.