ACU Leaders Issue Letter to Bishops
Episcopal News Service. April 15, 1976 [76134]
PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. -- The heads of the American Church Union (ACU) have issued a clarification of that organization's positions on current issues in the Episcopal Church and a strong assertion of the ACU's aims.
In a letter to the Bishops of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Robert Q. Kennaugh, Chairman of the Special Administrative Committee, and the Rev. Robert S. Morse, Executive Director, have reasserted the intention of the ACU to promote and defend the historic Faith of the Church. They brand as false allegations that the ACU espouses schism and they correct other recent false assertions about the ACU and its President, the Rev. Canon Albert J. duBois.
They call for the support of all Episcopal churchmen who share with the ACU the historic Faith of the Church, so that there may be a united defense of the Faith and a united effort of evangelism.
The text of their letter to the bishops is attached.
The Church Union
April 10, 1976
Dear Bishop:
The American Church Union wishes to make clear to the Bishops of the Episcopal Church the intentions and positions on which it stands. It takes occasion to do this because false reports have been spread widely through the Church about recent developments within the ACU and about the position now taken by this long-established organization and by its President, the Rev. Canon Albert J. duBois, in these days of grave crisis for the Church.
We call to your attention the following facts:
- The resignation of the Rev. Canon Charles H. Osborn as Executive Director of the American Church Union took place after the large majority of the members of the National Council of the ACU, both elected and appointed, had satisfied themselves that the Executive Director had not taken adequate steps to meet the grave financial crisis of the ACU, that he expected the Council rather than the Executive Director to raise the ACU funds, that he had not carried out the will of the Council as expressed in a number of policy decisions and resolutions over a period of time, and that there existed an irreconcilable difference of philosophy between Canon Osborn and the ACU Council as to the mission of the American Church Union, which difference the Executive Director admitted.
- The American Church Union has never advocated schism, in any statement, resolution or action, and it does not do so now.
- Canon duBois is personally and officially exerting every effort in his power to maintain the Episcopal Church's integrity and faithfulness. He does not advocate and has never advocated schism or any other kind of separation. Specifically -- and quite contrary to an erroneous account in the January issue of The Canadian Churchman -- he did not advocate schism in an address to the Council for the Faith in Toronto on November 22, 1975, nor did he state that legal steps were being taken to ensure a "continuing" Episcopal Church if the ordination of women were "authorized" by General Convention. Continuing his life-long propagation of the Faith, Canon duBois is organizing forces which will stand for the Faith at the forthcoming General Convention. Further, being cognizant of the fact that many people are leaving the Episcopal Church for other bodies or for no body, he is urging all churchmen to stay and fight through to a resolution of the present crisis. In all these matters, he faithfully represents the American Church Union as its President.
The policy of the American Church Union has always been, and remains, positive rather than negative, constructive rather than destructive. The ACU stands foursquare on the Faith once delivered to the Saints and received by us from them through the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. The ACU believes that our hope and our salvation lie in that Faith, which it ever seeks to bring to all men in the fullness of the Gospel's truth and glory.
The ACU will defend and proclaim the Faith whenever it is threatened in the Episcopal Church. It therefore intends to continue to throw the full weight of its conviction and influence
- ...in favor of continuing apostolic Holy Orders which are male, and against the proposal to ordain women;
- ...in favor of the Christian understanding of the sacredness of life, and against abortion on demand;
- ...in favor of scriptural and dominical teachings about moral behavior, against any ordination of open, avowed and unrepentant homosexuals, and against any proposal that the Church bless "marriages" between persons of the same sex;
- ...in favor of a renewed emphasis on the sanctity of marriage and of family life;
- ...in vigilant watchfulness that the substance of our Faith be kept entire in any Book of Common Prayer adopted by the Church;
- ...in favor of the foundation of belief and practice set forth in the seven points of the "Declaration of Principles" issued at Louisville in September, 1973.
The American Church Union sees its task now, as ever, to be to teach the historic Faith and to defend the historic Faith. In terms of its Constitution, it sets itself to "maintain and promote" the historic Faith. In this hour, especially, it rededicates itself to this goal with loyalty, with prayer and with zeal. It seeks the support of all bishops, clergy and laity who are pursuing the same goals and who want to get on with the work of evangelism.
Faithfully in Christ,
(Signed) (The Rev.) Robert Q. Kennaugh, Chairman
For the Administrative Committee
(Signed) (The Rev.) Robert S. Morse
Executive Director