1 March 2000
We as the Bishops of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa have been deeply shocked by the action taken by Archbishop Tay and others in consecrating two priests to minister in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America.
We too, with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Primates, regard these consecrations as totally irregular and irresponsible. The action taken is thoroughly anarchic and undermines proper order in the Church of God.
As Archbishop Michael Peers points out; "In our tradition bishops are chosen by the local Church according to its standards and practices." What Archbishop Tay and others have done actually makes a mockery of the Church's sacrament of episcopal ordination.
In the light of this development, we wish to recommend to the Primates of our Communion, that they
(signed)
Archbishop of Cape Town
and Metropolitan Of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa
1 March 2000
ENDS.