What are the causes of disagreements among Anglicans?

Answer 1

Anglicans disagree on quite a bit, from the number of sacraments, to the ordination of women, to the issue of same sex marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. I will give a brief overlook on some of the issues facing Anglicanism throughout the ages up to current day. Beginning under the reign of Elizabeth I who was the daughter of Henry VIII, this 'division' among Anglican Christians began. In order to keep England united as one, Elizabeth devised the concept of 'the via media' or 'the middle way'.Elizabeth knew that the protestant reformation was at it's peak and was afraid that the Church of England would divide as did other protestant churches. Elizabeth had no intent on having a religious war occur within England during her reign, so this 'middle way' philosophy was a way in which to keep The Church of England united, while at the same time permitting many different theological perspectives to exist within the Anglican faith. Thus the concept of 'high church' and 'low church'began. High Church Anglicans are those that ascribe to a more catholic, sacramental theology. Whereas low church Anglicans are those that ascribe to a more reformed theological perspective. All Anglicans are united by the Book of Common Prayer, which is the liturgy and catechism of the faith, as well as the two great sacraments of the Gospel, the Holy Eucharist, and Baptism. High Church Anglicans would say the other 5 sacramental rites of the church are sacraments as well, not just 'sacramental'. Today, the theological divide between 'high church' and 'low church' has significantly lessened. However, the major issue dividing Anglicans today is not theological, but rather social. Beginning in 1976 when the Episcopal Churchin the United States, which is the American province of the Anglican Communion opened the priesthood and the episcopate to women. This act affected not just the American Church but all other Anglican provinces, including the Church of England. Today almost every Anglican province ordains women to all 3 orders of ministry; deacons, priests and bishops. Just as the Anglican Communion began to recover from the change in social order that began with womens ordination, the focus then shifted from women to homosexuals. Again, starting with the the American province, arguments were raised as to whether or not it was biblically sound to bless same sex unions, and whether or not it was sound to ordain open and practicing gay and lesbian persons. Beginning in the mid 1980's, certain dioceses of the American province, in particular the Diocese of Newark NJ, began ordaining open and partnered gay and lesbian individuals to the diaconate and priesthood. This act defied the Anglican Communion's prohibitions against homosexual acts, and caused a major conflict in both the American church, as well as all provinces of the Anglican Communion. As time progressed, The Episcopal Church in the United States became increasingly more progressive socially. Most dioceses began ordaining gay and lesbian persons to the diaconate and the priesthood. In 2003 the Episcopal Church consecrated it's first openly gay and partnered bishop, The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. Bishop Robinson is the first openly gay and partnered bishop in any Anglican province. This act created a clear divide between the American church and many other provinces of the Communion. After Robinson's consecration to the episcopate other liberal provinces began speaking out in favor of the ordination of gay persons and the blessing of same sex unions, in particular The Anglican Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of New Zealand and the Scottish Episcopal Church. After Robinson's consecration the Anglican Communion as whole became clearly divided on this issue, with conservative provinces, in particular the Church of Nigeria, threatening schism. The faith that once 'agreed to disagree' has now come under significant fear of division and schism. At the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States, which occured July 8th through 17th in Anaheim California, 2 major resolutions were passed. The first resolution being that the moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops would be lifted, and that gay and lesbian persons may canonically be admitted to all 3 orders of ministry. The second resolution being that the church would begin to formalize a liturgy for same sex unions/weddings. The actions of the 2009 General Convention, although seen as important by the majority of Episcopalians, has divided the Anglican Communion even more than it already was, creating a major split between biblical/social conservatives and biblical/social liberals. This is the current issue facing the Anglican Communion