The ACNA is a confusing confederation of tribes with a variety of governance structures and theological beliefs. One of these structures is the Convocation of the West. Its history is given here:
The Diocese of the West was founded in 1998 as part of the Anglican Province of America (APA), a Continuing Anglican church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. In 2008, its bishop, Richard Boyce, arranged for the diocese to affiliate with the Reformed Episcopal Church . To that point, the APA and REC had been in full communion, but Boyce sought for the Diocese of the West to have full participation in the Common Cause Partnership1 that led to the creation of the Anglican Church in North America in 2009. The Diocese of the West was the only diocese of the Continuing Anglican Movement to join the ACNA. In 2011, Winfield Mott, the coadjutor bishop of the West, became diocesan bishop upon Boyce’s retirement. In April 2016, the diocese transitioned to a convocation in the Diocese of All Saints, at which point Bishop Mott became Vicar General of the Convocation of the West. Bishop Mott retired as Vicar General on August 31, 2016 and the Very Rev Canon Michael Penfield was unanimously elected Vicar General.
Now it appears that the Convocation may be more fully integrated into MDAS. Writing in a newsletter for the Convocation of the West, the Very Rev. Canon Michael Penfield says,
This year for us will be a time of great change. The convocational system of governance will be ended in favor of a more integrated method of governance. Canons will be in charge of specific areas and will help to support our Bishop in our effort to spread the Word of God throughout our country – and even throughout the world.
The convocation for many years provided us with protection and governance where we could have descended into confusion and scattered into several jurisdictions. The Convocation provided protection, support and solace. And this has been quite important for us. However, it was never intended for the “long haul”. It was to be a way-station on the way to becoming a Diocese again. That dream has not materialized. What has happened is that we have joined a Diocese.
At first, the Convocation was a perfect solution to a combination of problems. All Saints is a non-geographical Diocese. We are scattered throughout. Then Covid hit. With both these factors, it made sense, not only to continue with the Convocation of the West, but to add two more to cover the other areas. At times, the system was cumbersome. At other times, it provided a way to help the individual parishes during a very difficult time.
At this point, however, does it make sense to remain a convocation? After all, travel is once again easy. Our Bishop has made it a point of visiting many of our churches. And the possibility of becoming a Diocese again seems remote. Therefore, the question becomes: can’t we morph into something else? Something better?
Although I don’t believe this has happened yet, I would never want the convocational system to prevent us from fully integrating into one Diocese. I would never want it to create the feeling that we are not part of the greater whole – that we are somehow separate and better. Rather, I would like us in the West to change. I would like us to become more integrated into the Diocese, but yet at the same time, to become an association of clergy and parishes which are alike in both their goals and the issues and challenges they face. We can evolve into a group which gets together for the purpose of finding ways together to grow both in our faith and in our missionary zeal. And this clearly can be more than just those churches and clergy in the West.
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