'Heartlands of Anglicanism'

11 JULY 2006
Media Release from the Archbishop of Cape Town

[ACNS] The Archbishop of Cape Town has written to the Primates of the Anglican Communion issuing a strong call to uphold the ' broad rich heartlands of our Anglican heritage.' He argues that this must be 'the territory on which we debate our future.' He adds 'it is not something to be fought out at the limits of conservatism or liberalism, as if they were the only possibilities before us. '

In a lengthy reflection on what it is to be Anglican, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane declares, 'we cannot lose this middle ground.' He argues that the central core of Anglican tradition is not bland or shallow, but offers 'productive spiritual soil.' He refutes any suggestion that embracing the middle ground means 'anything goes.' Rather, he affirms uncompromising dedication and obedience to the heart of faith, as it is lived under the authority of Scripture, of Church order and structures, and of Christian tradition.

Read the ACNS report (which includes the full text of Archbishop Ndungane's statement) here