Can we be clear about the position of Dr. Packer? He is indeed recognized as a prominent theologian, and highly respected.
He is also a priest, and as such licensed by his bishop to serve as an honourary assistant at St. John's Shaughnessy. Dr. Packer has held that position for many years. Until recently, the parish congregation considered itself in the Diocese of New Westminster. This was the formal arrangment. Relations were indeed estranged, for the parish, in protest of the decision of the Diocesan Synod in 2002 to request of the bishop a rite of same sex blessings, has since then refused to pay its financial assessment. But it was still in the diocese and Dr. Packer was a priest licensed to his parish, despite any public statements he made. He did not submit a letter of resignation.
Following the meeting of the parish congregation on Feb. 13, 2008, after which it was widely reported that the parish congregation had voted to come under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Province of the Southern Cone in South America, the bishop has asked Dr. Packer and seven other priests whether they still consider themselves in the diocese. They have two months to reply. At this point no communication has been received. If the priests choose not to reply, the bishop will (quite reasonably) have no choice but to assume they have left, and so declare they have abandoned their ministry. The bishop has not suspended anyone, but is seeking to learn whether certain of his priests are in or out of his diocese.
It would be sad to lose such a world-renowned theologian as Dr. Packer, but the choice is his, and I am sure that he will do as his conscience dictates.
Neale Adams
Communications Officer
Diocese of New Westminster

Mr. Adams says the choice was Packer's; but as a man of integrity I am sure that Dr. Packer felt he was left no choice in this matter by the abuse of authority and violation of biblical principles committed by the Bishop of his diocese. The fact that Dr. Packer could endure this totalitarian situation, this Babylonian Captivity of his church, for so long, is a credit to him and to his devotion to the unity of the church. It's also evidence that the episcopal system does not have adequate checks and balances to prevent such totalitarianism and abuse of power by bishops.

The ancient dilemma, acountability to God and conscience verses the compromise of questionable politically correct Church practices. God have mercy on the Anglican/Episcopalian church and its members. I admire J.I.Packer. J. Inglis

Why does a godly servant of Christ hesitate to write "Ichabod" in large letters over the Diocese of New Westminster? His bold renunciation of the unbiblical, compromising position of so many areas of the Anglican Communion would be an encouragement for lesser lights to shine brighter and earnestly pray for a return to biblical basics

"The choice is his" implies that one fine day Dr. Packer woke up and decided, "I think I'll leave the Anglican Church." The reality, just to be clear in the spirit of the above news item, is far different. The Anglican Church of Canada is much like the Episcopal Church (USA) in its headlong rush toward apostacy and clear trampling on the concerns of people of faith who hold traditional values and a traditional view of Scripture.

The Diocese of New Westminster might have addressed previously the question of why there was the decision of the Diocesan Synod in 2002 to request of the bishop a rite of same sex blessings. For us less initiated, perhaps the Diocese could explain and justify its stance on same sex blessings. If Dr Packer did not walk away from the Diocese, perhaps many would walk away from Christianity Today, unless there is a sound biblical basis for the Diocese's decision!

Has anyone else noticed that the Anglican tyrants in the US and Canada seem to take a lot of pleasure in bullying godly men who are well into their eighties? I seem to remember the TEC House of Bishops trumping up charges against 86-year-old Bishop Cox who, like Dr. Packer, transferred his credentials to the Southern Cone.

Leaders in Anglican Church allow freely the liberal, political correct teachings, teachers and bishops is actually seeking denomination self-destruction.

Let's get on with it. What is it? It's God's word and how we value that and Him in our lives. God has blessed us with knowledge of His mind. ..knowledge of His mind. I am overwhelmed with this. For the most part, followers of the everyday revisionist agenda are not. I would rather try to follow the path of God than follow man.
In Christ,
Carol R

Dr.Packer's action is superb! since the diocese where he belongs committed a practice that jeopardized the purity of the gospel and our christian witness, Dr. Packer need not fear being suspended by the apostate Ingham!

And who is going to sack the Anglican and Episcopal Churches of North America?

If you'd like to seer Dr. Packer comment on the situation go to YouTube and search St. John's Shaughnessy. There is a 10 part thorough explanation of the situation in the Diocese of New Westminster, the AcoC and how it all relates to the worldwide communion. The Rector of St. John's, Rev. David Short and Dr. Packer work through the entire situation from pre 2002 (the blessing synod) on. It is @ 75 minutes in all but worth watching it its entirety. It's been divided into 10 chapters, so you don't have to do it all in one go.

Who will sack the apostate Anglican/Episcopal churches in North America? Simple...They have already made themselves known. the homosexual activists, the immoral, those bent upon the destruction of God's established order in the family and church. Ah, but they've something to learn in their sacking....that the God who established these things will NOT be mocked, nor is he impotent to preserve His order. It is they who will, in fine, sack their own "castles". And those who hold steadfast to God's revealed heart will, at the end of it all, be approved of Him. Please, a million more to stand firm alongside JI Packer. He knows to Whom he is a priest.

"... the parish, in protest of the decision of the Diocesan Synod in 2002 to request of the bishop a rite of same sex blessings ..." No. Two previous Synods had made that request. The trouble was that this third time the Bishop gave his permission for such 'blessings' to be performed.

One point that is sometimes forgotten is that people of the integity and moral depth such as Dr. J.I. Packer agonize over decisions of separating from their communion. However, no matter how difficult or painful the choice, they choose in the end when all reasonable avenues have been exhausted to come down on the side of the gospel and support the truth of its message. Bravo Dr. Packer for your stand and integrity. I only hope the Anglican Church of Canada will come to its senses in time to prevent its breakup as that is the direction the church is headed. However, the universal church of Christ will prevail whatever happens which is a comforting thought for Dr. Packer and for all of us.

Again, thank you Dr. Packer for your courage and for resisting the attempts of a dying and decaying culture to cheapen the good news of the gospel and pervert it. As Christ said, father forgive them for they don't understand what they are doing.

It is not so much that Dr. Packer has left the Anglican Church of Canada, but rather that the Anglican Church of Canada has left Dr. Packer - and its former orthodoxy.

There are many outside of the Anglican Church who are closly watching this sad situation.

J.I. Packer has a responsibility to our Lord to lead his flock. This is clearly outlined in the Bible. If his Bishop is telling him to do something or endorsing a doctrine "Of Demons." The preaching of "another Gospel" Then it is Packers responsibility to lead his flock elsewhere away from the heresy ! His bishops idea that the Bible is not the absolute authority of God is absurd and heretical. Sola Scriptura is out lined in Timothy and we are constentily warned about the traditions of men. You did the right thing in the sight of our Lord J.I. - God Bless You and be with you. Remember what the Lord said, "Feed My Sheep".

Biblical truth is always worth advocating. What Dr. Packer has done is simply an acting out of "We ought to obey God, rather than man." Carry on, my brother!