| Dear saints of God in the Diocese of Western Anglicans, You may recently heard the sad news that Bishop Derek Jones of the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (SJAFC) was issued a Godly admonition, followed by a special inhibition by Archbishop Wood regarding accusation of misconduct (not related to any sexual misconduct). Bishop Jones then chose to declare himself separated from ACNA. I was Chair of the ACNA Governance Task Force that in 2014 created the ACNA Canon I.11 that authorizes and empowers, in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA, the creation of a Special Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (SJAFC), under the supervision of the Archbishop and College of Bishops. I can attest to the facts stated in the Press release below–which I encourage you to read. I have been in regular communication with the Archbishop about this situation. Bishop Jones has no authority under the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA to declare that all ACNA Chaplains in the SJAFC are no longer a part of the ACNA. Period. Bishop Jones’ declarations and withdrawal from ACNA created a vacancy in the office of the Bishop for the SJAFC. Accordingly, the ACNA college of bishops met yesterday to acknowledge the vacancy and to elect the Right Reverend Jerome R. Cayangyang, Captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, as the Bishop for the ACNA Special Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. Bishop Cayangyang has decades of service in active and reserve military service and has served as both a rector and a chaplain in the Marines. I am confident that he is fully qualified to provide pastoral care and oversight for the clergy serving in the SJAFC. Please read the ACNA press release below for the details of this decision and to find sources for further information. This has been a very trying time for the men and women of our Armed Forces whom we honor for their service with this much needed ministry. I am confident that ACNA will issue more information in the coming days about their status, including assurances from the Department of War that their endorsements are not in jeopardy. But please pray for these brave and honorable men and women and their families as they weather this crisis. Pray for their faith, strength, guidance and provision. Please continue to pray for the Archbishop and the College as we seek to make faithful and generous decisions for the good order of their Church. Please pray also for Bishop Derek Jones and those Bishops who, on behalf of the ACNA, will seek to provide gracious pastoral care to him during this difficult time. |
| Your brother and Bishop in Christ, |
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| Bishop OrdinaryDiocese of Western AnglicansAnglican Church in North America |
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