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Anglican Church in North America

[Flag of the Anglican Church of North America]

image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 September 2009

Description of the flag
Fort Worth Diocese flag

Description of the flag

The Anglican Church in North America is a recently established group which fits within the category of "Anglican and Episcopal churches of the Anglican tradition (not in communion with Church of England)".

The formation of the denomination was proposed in December 2008 and formally inaugurated in June 2009. It is composed of former members of the Episcopal Church in the US and the Anglican Church of Canada, who were dissatisfied with some of those churches' policies, especially those regarding ordination and consecration of practicing homosexuals and the blessing of same sex unions. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_in_North_America and http://www.anglicanchurch-na.org.

The denomination claims over 800 parishes in the US and Canada, and about 100,000 members. They are not in communion with the Church of England, nor with the Anglican Communion as a whole, but they are in communion with some of the more conservative constituent members of the Anglican Communion.

The ACNA apparently has already adopted a flag, since one of its priests' websites shows a photo of it http://texanglican.blogspot.com/2009/06/acna-flag-debuted-at-st-vincents.html under the heading "ACNA Flag Debuted at St. Vincent's Cathedral on Sunday".

There is a dark blue panel along the flag's hoist which bears what seems to be the logo the denomination is using- a globe, of a lighter shade of blue, showing North America in yellow or buff; with a shield of St. George's cross superimposed, offset to the southeast quadrant. The rest of the flag's length is a St. George's cross. Another photo taken at the denomination's inaugural assembly is at www.fwepiscopal.org/events/acnaassembly/mondayalbum/pages/DSC_7150_jpg.htm

Ned Smith, 5 September 2009

Fort Worth Diocese flag

image by Eugene Ipavec, 11 February 2010

A photo of the Diocese of Fort Worth flag can be seen at http://www.fwepiscopal.org/events/acnaassembly/tuesdayalbum/pages/DSC_7293_jpg.htm among others at www.fwepiscopal.org/events/acnaassembly/tuesdayalbum/index.htm. Since the Diocese left the Episcopal Church en masse, unlike most of the other founding components of the ACNA, under the lead of its bishop and executive board, it has claims to all the diocese's pre-existing assets and trappings, including apparently its flag.

However, the Episcopal Church leadership disputes the bishop's and board's authority to do this, and has appointed a new interim bishop and board, and maintains that they are the legitimate continuation of the diocese. It will all play out in the courts, but in the meantime we have one flag which will de facto serve two dioceses. Since use of the seal, which appears on the flag, is one of the issues specifically alluded to the litigation, the situation of course must eventually change http://www.episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/release%2009.04.09.htm

The Diocese of Fort Worth consists of 56 congregations serving 24 North Central Texas counties.

The flag is purple with the diocesan seal in the center. The seal can be seen at http://stmatthews-comanche.org/history_diocese_fort_worth.htm which also includes a history and description of the seal:

The Seal of the Diocese of Fort Worth
The official seal of the Diocese of Fort Worth was designed by Mr. Eugene Maxey, The Rev. Messrs. Harrison Beste, William Crary and William Risinger. Mr. Maxey, a member of St. Andrew's, is an expert in the science of heraldry and holds membership in heraldry societies in America, England, Scotland and Canada.

Each diocese of the Anglican Communion has an official seal which reflects something of the nature of the life of the diocese. In this seal our heritage and our commitment to our Lord's mission are artistically set forth. Fort Worth, the See City, is indicated by the fortress battlements which divide the Shield through the center horizontally. The Longhorn Steer, a symbol of a major industry within the diocese, is also a reminder of the frontier spirit and the venturesome nature of the people of God in this part of the country. The Star, has a two-fold meaning. In Christendom the five pointed star symbolizes the Incarnation. It also stands for the Lone Star State of Texas. The Griffin, symbol of guardianship of the Faithful, is in the upper left corner. The Griffin, half lion and half eagle, is an ancient symbol used by the Celtic people of Great Britain. Bishop Alexander Charles Garrett, an Irishman, utilized the Griffin in the Seal of the Diocese of Dallas to indicate our heritage with the Church of England. We chose the Griffin because of our Welsh heritage and our linkage with the Diocese of Dallas. Of great significance is the fact that the Apostolistic succession of the American Episcopate flowed through David, Patron Saint and Bishop of Wales. The Keys of St. Peter, depict the authority of the Apostolic ministry bestowed upon the Church by our Lord. The Bishop's Staff, in black and silver, resembles the crozier used by the Bishop. Both the presiding Bishop and I were once rectors of Grace Church, Monroe, Louisiana. We had identical croziers which were presented to us as thank-offerings by the people of Grace Church.

The banner carries a motto: Los Brazos De Dios or "The Arms of God." Written in Spanish to reflect the Hispanic culture in Texas, the motto is a reminder of our Servanthood. While Christians are upheld and supported by "the arms of God," Christians are cognizant that by His Grace we are to be "the arms of God" in the Lord's work and mission in today's world.

Ned Smith, 21 September 2009