Thinking Anglicans

more weekend opinions

Marilyn McCord Adams writes in the Guardian about “The ‘size gap’ between God and man”. See Face to Faith.

Giles Fraser writes in the Church Times about faith schools, see How schools ought to discriminate. So, last year, did Paul Vallely, see Beware the erosion of faith schools.

Simon Barrow and Jonathan Bartley respond to all this at Ekklesia in On not being idiotic about church schools.

Over at Cif belief Andrew Brown has written twice about the Californian teacher who described creationism as “superstitious nonsense”. See Enemies of creationism may be hindering science teachers and then Creationism judgement followup. (Original news story by Riazat Butt is here.)

Mary Boys writes in The Times that Christians should respect God’s covenant with Jews.

9 Comments

Equality Bill – Church of England briefing

The Equality Bill 2008-2009 had a second reading in the House of Commons on Monday. The Hansard record of that debate starts here.

The full text of the bill can be found in two PDF files, here, and here. For html formatted versions go here.

For background papers, this page is very useful.

See earlier article for my report in the Church Times on the Church of England’s criticism of the bill’s definition of the phrase “for the pur­poses of organised religion”.

The Mission and Public Affairs Council of the CofE issued a parliamentary briefing in advance of Monday’s debate. A PDF version is now on the Church Times website. An html version can be found here.

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looking back at the ACC

Updated Friday evening

First in the Church Times.
From last week: Pat Ashworth Dr Williams calls for ‘shared honesty’ and Gomez gives warning over Covenant
This week: ACC’s close vote delays debate on Covenant and ACC backs up Windsor moratoriums

Next, Ephraim Radner wrote at ACI The Wisdom of the Cross: Some reflections on ACC-14 and the Anglican Covenant.

And, in the CEN Defeat for Archbishop as Covenant draft is rejected by George Conger.

Friday evening update

Colin Coward has some comments on the reports in Dreaming of global cooperation in the Church.

Anglican Journal reports Canadian delegates to ACC hopeful about future of Anglican Communion.

Episcopal Life has a video titled ACC participants reflect on meeting.

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Church criticises Equality Bill definition

The following article appears in this week’s Church Times.
(Reproduced with permision.)

Link now available here.

Church criticises Equality Bill definition

THE Archbishops’ Council is un­happy that the new Equality Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday, has changed the scope of an existing ex­emp­tion in employment law relating to sexual orientation. It has added a definition of the phrase “for the pur­poses of organised religion” without prior consultation.

The new definition says that the exemption applies only when “the employment wholly or mainly in­volves (a) leading or assisting in the observation of liturgical or ritualistic practices of the religion, or (b) pro­mo­ting or explaining the doctrine of the religion (whether to followers of the religion or to others).”

Previously there had been no such definition, but it was widely believed that the exemption had been intend­ed to have a very narrow scope, and primarily applied to clergy. The employment tribunal ruling on the case of John Reaney v. the Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance (Com­ment, 27 July, 2007) took a different view.

An Archbishops’ Council spokes­man said: “This definition . . . was inserted in the Bill without our re­ceiv­ing any prior consultation or warning. It represents a substantial narrowing of the exemption.”

Referring to such posts of secretary general of the Arch­bishops’ Council or a diocesan secretary as examples of “senior posts represent­ing the Church”, the spokesman said: “That could mean, for example, that the Church would not be able to decline to employ some­one in a such a role on the grounds that that person’s previous marriage had ended in divorce as a result of his or her own adultery.

“We shall be raising the issue with the Government, and are likely to support the tabling of amendments that would preserve the status quo.”

Other parts of the exemption are preserved. As now, the discrimin­ation must also be shown to be either: a proportionate way of com­plying with the doctrines of the religion; or a proportionate means of avoiding conflict with the strongly held religious convictions of a signif­icant number of the religion’s followers.

When it does apply, however, any of the following six distinct require­ments (combining an earlier list re­lating to sex discrimination with the sexual-orientation clause) can still be imposed: to be of a particular sex; not to be a transsexual person; not to be married or a civil partner; not to be married to, or the civil partner of, a person who has a living former spouse or civil partner; relating to circumstances in which a marriage or civil partnership came to an end; related to sexual orientation.

The Archbishops’ Council’s Mission and Public Affairs Council says that the Church “supports the broad objectives of the Bill”, but it has issued a four-page briefing to MPs that details seven areas of con­cern. One of these is that the law should not be formulated in ways that improperly restrict the freedom of religion, belief, and conscience guaranteed by Article 9 of the Euro­pean Convention on Human Rights.

The briefing says: “There is there­fore potential for conflict when different protected characteristics give rise to claims of discrimination, harassment or victimisation. . . Guidance will be needed on how to resolve such conflicts, without leaving them to the adjudication of the courts, and that guidance must be religiously literate.”

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Christians to be persecuted?

The Church of England Newspaper published an editorial last week which suggested the Equality Bill, which was published last month and had its second reading on Monday, was all part of an anti-Christian plot. The full text of this editorial is reproduced below the fold.

I will be reporting here on the progress of the Equality Bill through Parliament, with emphasis on those aspects which are of particular interest from a Church of England viewpoint, as I have reported on many previous items of anti-discrimination legislation.

Those who are looking for more material along the lines of this CEN editorial will find it at such places as the website of the Christian Institute and at the website of Christian Concern for our Nation.

(more…)

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ACNA appeals for $700K

The Anglican Church of North America recently announced the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer, Brad B. Root.

Here’s evidence of what he is doing. As reported at the blog of a member of the Reformed Episcopal Church, he has issued an appeal for contributions to a Special ACNA Thank Offering. Here’s the letter:

Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 10:50 AM
Subject: Special ACNA Thank Offering

Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

I am writing to give you advance notification of a mailing that you should expect to receive early next week. It is a letter to you and your vestry from Archbishop-Designate Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Upon receipt I ask that you and your Vestry prayerfully receive this invitation of financial support with a gracious heart, and respond as generosity as you can for the sake of all that God has bestowed upon us and is doing among us.

This special Thank Offering was presented to and strongly endorsed by all of the Lead Bishops and Stewardship Group when our Provincial Council met last month to formally accept the 28 dioceses and dioceses-in-formation from all across North America. The idea is to collect an average of $1,000 from each of our more than 700 congregations. It will allow us to start-up effectively and meet the initial financial needs of the new provincial office. In the years ahead, the operations of our province will be funded by regular tithes from our dioceses, not extraordinary congregational offerings.

Full details of this extremely important offering including a sample bulletin insert, suitable for reproduction, and a return envelope will be enclosed in this forthcoming mailing. This offering can be taken on Pentecost and subsequent Sundays up to June 21st (the Eve of the Inaugural Provincial Assembly). We would also encourage your church to include news of this offering in leaflets and newsletters the next few Sundays.

This is an incredibly exciting time marked by both celebration and gratitude. No one among us doubts what the Lord has undertaken for us. The outcome of this offering will be instrumental to our start-up as we begin to fulfill our mission of “Reaching North America with the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ.” Thank you in advance for your support and please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions.

I remain deeply grateful for the tremendous privilege of serving you and your parish.

Blessings, Brad B. Root

Chief Operating Officer Anglican Church in North America

The blogger wasn’t favourably impressed. Read his own comments (scroll down) here.

17 Comments

ACC final reports

Updated Wednesday afternoon

ACNS
Festive Service Closes ACC-14

ACC-14 Press Briefing 12th May 2009

Resolutions of ACC-14

Anglican Journal
ACC delegates end meeting ‘more hopeful’ for future, says Williams

‘We go home with hope’

Episcopal News Service
Anglican Consultative Council Digest

Anglican Consultative Council meeting closes on hopeful note

Anglican TV
Unedited video of last Friday’s debate concerning the Covenant can be found here.

Update Wednesday afternoon

The American Anglican Council appears to attach great importance to the source of external funding for the continuing of the Listening Process. In a press release they refer to a PDF file issued by the Satcher Health Leadership Institute.

Anglican TV
ACC 14 Alternative Press Conference
This event involves four delegates from the “Global South”.

Religious Intelligence has Archbishop says summit ended in ‘glorious failure’ .

Global South Anglican
A response to ACC-14 in Jamaica from Global South delegates

ENS Lively worship at historic Spanish Town cathedral closes ACC meeting

3 Comments

ACC reports – Tuesday

Updated twice on Tuesday evening

ACNS has several items:
The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 6
Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion.

The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 7
The International Anglican Family Network.

ACC-14 Press Briefing 11th May 2009

On Monday May 11,2009 the current ACC Chair Bishop John Paterson of Auckland New Zealand, the newly elected chair Bishop James Tengatenga of Malawi and Canon John Rees (the legal advisor to ACC participated in a press briefing… Canon Rees provided some important information to clarify the process concerning resolutions and the power and authority of the Chair at ACC meetings.

ACC-14 Presidential Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury see below for link to transcript

ENS
Divisions are deep but can be healed, Archbishop of Canterbury tells ACC

Update: Anglican Consultative Council Digest

Anglican Journal
Future shape of Anglican Communion uncertain, says Archbishop of Canterbury

Sixth mark of mission focuses on peace and reconciliation

Changing Attitude has more detail about Results of election to ACC Standing Committee.

New Vision reports Orombi protests over Jamaican meet.

An earlier report at Religious Intelligence was Uganda Primate angry over delegate’s ban.

Pluralist has How It Was Done (ACC).

Dave Walker has written Anglican Consultative Council: Andrew Brown on newspapers and blogs which includes a link to Andrew Brown’s column in last week’s Church Times titled Press: A marked bias against journalism.

Tuesday afternoon update

ACNS now has the transcript of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Presidential Address.
ACC-14 Presidential Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury

And also The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 8
The Anglican Communion Environmental Network.

Tuesday evening update

ACNS
The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 9
The Revd Terrie Robinson, Anglican Networks Co-ordinator.

ACC-14 Election of Vice Chair and Joint Standing Committee

Nyasa Times Robbers loot Bishop Tengatenga residence

Daily Episcopalian Adrian Worsfold Reigning in the Ridley draft

Anglican Journal ACC seeks equal but ‘non-voting’ membership at primates’ meeting

second Tuesday evening update

Living Church Archbishop Williams: Begin Covenant Discussions Now

ENS Anglican Consultative Council Digest

Changing Attitude Canon Phil Groves briefed the press last Thursday on the Listening Process

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ACC – Monday reports

Updated Monday evening

Colin Coward has had an encounter with a Nigerian bishop, see Nigerian bishop not Jamaican homophobe threatens UK gay activist, What might the conservative strategy be? and also How do LGBT Anglican Nigerians endure satanic claims?

Anglican Mainstream has published Nominees for ACC Standing Committee Announced and ACC 14: Anglican Report from AnglicanTV.

Anglican Journal has Ecumenical partners stand firm with Anglican Communion and Delegates reflect on ‘mission encounters’ with Jamaican churches.

The Chicago Consultation has published a response to the Anglican Communion Institute GOING FORWARD, GOING TOGETHER: Chicago Consultation Urges Deeper Communion Through Justice, Mission.

Tobias Haller has also commented on the ACI document, see Vanity of Vanities.

Monday evening update

ENS Ecumenical partners pledge to continue journey with Anglican Communion

Living Church Confusion Reigns as ACC Postpones Covenant

Religious Intelligence Defeat for Archbishop as Covenant draft is rejected

Anglican Mainstream ACC Day 14. Rules of the Game? There are none.

Changing Attitude Bishop James Tengatenga, new ACC chair, responds to question about lesbian and gay Anglicans

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some other views on the Covenant

Updated finally on Monday morning

For the latest reports from those actually in Jamaica, go here.

Earlier in the week, Ruth Gledhill published this article, Covenant: Is this an instrument to castrate Gafcon?

In that article, she links (though currently the links are broken) to several other analyses:

Today, Stephen Noll has published another article, The Anglican Communion Covenant: Where Do We Go from Here? in which he argues that the Covenant is now dead.

Saturday evening update

Charles Raven has also written a new article, this is titled Tipping Point in Jamaica.

Jamaica is not only the end of the Covenant process, but is also likely to mark a decisive shift of confidence away from the Lambeth based Instruments of Unity and a fresh appraisal of GAFCON by those of the orthodox Anglicans who have been wary. A Communion which looks for leadership from this Archbishop of Canterbury and the existing Instruments of Unity will surely descend into deepening chaos.

The Anglican Church League in Sydney has issued Apostacy and deception: Statement on ACC-14 from the Anglican Church League.

“We have once again been shown how firmly apostasy and deception is embedded in the international structures of Anglicanism. There is no hope for the future there.”

Sunday evening update

Stephen Noll has written another article today, RESUSCITATION OR RESURRECTION? Second Thoughts on the Demise of the Anglican Covenant in which he expands his thoughts.

And, the Anglican Communion Institute has published ACI Statement on the Anglican Consultative Council.

Monday morning update

A.S. Haley has published Shine, Perishing Communion

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opinions in mid-May

Both The Times and the Guardian have Quaker columnists this morning.

B.P. Dandelion writes about how Uncertainty speaks volumes in the sound of silence.

Kathryn Lum writes about the Indian caste system in Face to Faith.

Giles Fraser warned in the Church Times Beware the dark side of liberalism.

Libby Purves was interviewed in the Church Times last week by Terence Handley MacMath.

Alan Wilson wrote about Social Media, Church and Bishopping.

Oliver O’Donovan wrote in the Church Times last week, How can people obey the scriptures?

(Full text of this lecture is at Fulcrum, and a critique of it by Adrian Worsfold is titled Postmodern Authoritarianism.)

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ACC – other reports – Saturday

Updated yet again Sunday morning

ACNS has the official texts of resolutions passed on Friday: Resolutions of ACC-14 from 8th May.

ACNS also has Bishop James Tengatenga elected Chair of Anglican Consultative Council

ACC-14 Press Briefing 8th May 2009
This one deals with the Windsor Continuation Group.

Anglican Journal has ACC rejects proposed moratorium on litigation over property

The latter topic is also covered in this report from Anglican Mainstream Report from ACC-14 Day Seven: No Fourth Moratorium and No Covenant.

Update Saturday evening

A range of ACC documents can be found on this page.

They include the final report of the WCG (PDF).

There is an official photo gallery here.

Further update

ACNS has Resolutions of ACC-14 from 9th May
These cover ‘The Bible in the Life of the Church’, Network on Inter-Faith Concerns, and Middle East (from APJN).

Anglican Journal New ACC chair is skilled in mediation

ENS Anglican Consultative Council reaffirms two-state solution for Israel, Palestine

Sunday morning update

ACNS
The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 5
Network for Inter Faith Concerns of the Anglican Communion.

ACC-14 Press Briefing 9th May 2009
Ecumenical Guests.

Anglican Journal
Project aimed at helping Anglicans read Bible with ‘fresh eyes’

ACC tones down resolution on Middle East conflict

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ACC – reports on the Covenant

Updated yet again Sunday evening

11.25 pm Friday
ENS is first with a report on the Covenant: Bulletin: Anglican Consultative Council postpones release of covenant. ENS says:

The council had originally been asked to send the entire text to the provinces. However, some members were concerned about the practicalities of the processes outlined in Section 4 of the covenant, “Our Covenanted Life Together,” which attempts to provide a method for resolving disputes in the communion. Much of the concern centered on the provision in paragraph 4.1.5 that “it shall be open to other Churches to adopt the Covenant” because it lacks a definition for “other churches.”

The members agreed 33-30 (with two abstentions) to ask for more work on Section 4.

Saturday morning update

That Bulletin has now been replaced with a much longer detailed report.

Anglican Journal also has a detailed account, Delegates vote to delay distribution of latest draft of covenant

ACNS has ACC-14 Press Briefing 8th May 2009 with the Secretary General which includes audio of the half-hour session.

Anglican Mainstream has ACC Bishops from Egypt, Peru and Nigeria reflect on the delay to the Covenant. and there is comment about the covenant debate in Report from ACC-14 Day Seven: No Fourth Moratorium and No Covenant.

The text of the document itself can be found at An Anglican Covenant – The Third (Ridley Cambridge) Draft.

Saturday afternoon update

Video from ENS is available here. There is an interview with the TEC delegates, as well as videos of the press briefings.

Saturday evening update

Colin Coward has Covenant debate – who was to blame for chaos?

…My perception was that there were two reasons for the chaos. The first and most significant, which hasn’t been reported elsewhere, is that no-one was at hand to advise the chair on the standing orders which set the rules for ACC meetings. At meetings of the Church of England General Synod a legal adviser always sits to the left of the chair and can offer instant advice. Yesterday’s debate would have benefitted from having John Rees closer at hand to provide advice.

The second cause of the chaos arose within the meeting itself. Delegates for whom English is not their first language ( and for some, not even second or third) find it understandably difficult to follow the process. Cultural differences about process and the way decisions are made and where power lies or should lie also affected delegates’ understanding of what was happening. And finally, some delegates carried a very strong agenda to the debate and their interventions contributed to increased tension and rising confusion.

When the Archbishop of Canterbury intervened, he did so to rescue the session from increasing chaos. I thought he summed up very succinctly and helpfully exactly where the debate had reached and what the delegates intended. Other journalists thought the Archbishop had abused the democratic process and had been putting that possibility to delegates as they dispersed at the end of the debate. This enabled them to say at the press briefing, “Delegates think …”

Sunday evening update

Anglican Mainstream has ACC 14 – Day 9 : It’s the property – stupid!

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ACC – Anglican Covenant

Updated again 10.45 pm London time
Colin Coward now has Final version of the Resolution on the Anglican Communion Covenant. Colin writes:

This is the resolution as amended in the course of this afternoon’s debate at the ACC-14 meeting in Jamaica.

The effect of the resolution is to delay sending the Covenant out to the Provinces for something like 6 months and to open the possibility of Section 4 of the Ridley Cambridge draft being revised.

Clauses c and d were included from an earlier draft after people spoke strongly both for and against. The vote was 40 in favour and 33 against integrating the clauses. I think the votes represent the division between those who want no further delay but want the present Ridley Cambridge draft to be sent straight to the Provinces, and those who prefer that the Communion takes proper time to consider the possible revision of section 4 of the Covenant.

Clause e was amended in the course of the debate, adding ‘as The Anglican Communion Covenant’.

The vote on whether to approve or not the final clause, f, has yet to be reported. If approved, the agreed resolution will read as follows:

Resolution B: Draft Resolution on the Covenant

The ACC:

a) thanks the Covenant Design Group for their faithfulness and responsiveness in producing the drafts for an Anglican Communion Covenant and, in particular for the Ridley Cambridge Draft submitted to this meeting;

b) recognises that an Anglican Communion Covenant may provide an effective means to strengthen and promote our common life as a Communion;

c) asks the Archbishop of Canterbury, in consultation with the Secretary General, to appoint a small working group to consider and consult with the Provinces on Section 4 and its possible revision, and to report to the next meeting of the Joint Standing Committee;

d) asks the JSC, at that meeting, to approve a final form of Section 4;

e) asks the Secretary General to send the revised Ridley Cambridge Text, at that time, only to the member Churches of the Anglican Consultative Council for consideration and decision on acceptance or adoption by them as The Anglican Communion Covenant;

f) asks those member Churches to report to ACC-15 on the progress made in the processes of response to, and acceptance or adoption of, the Covenant.

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10.00 pm update

Colin Coward has this report of what happened in the morning session and the new draft resolution that has emerged: Confused morning session results in Draft C of Covenant Design Process resolution

This session of ACC-14, which has been extended into the afternoon, has been getting itself hopelssly confused in trying to deal with the original draft motion on the Covenant Design Process which contained two Resolutions, A and B (see earlier blog). Delegates are in conflict as to whether or not to adopt section A or instead, revise Section B. They have just voted and agreed to reject in its entirety Clause A, 17 votes for, 47 against, 1 abstention.

A new draft resolution was prepared during the lunch break and is now being debated, with two new clauses being debated as amendments to the original Section B.

Draft Resolution C reads:

The ACC:

a) thanks the Covenant Design Group for their faithfulness and responsiveness in producing the drafts for an Anglican Communion Covenant and, in particular for the Ridley Cambridge Draft submitted to this meeting;

b) recognises that an Anglican Communion Covenant may provide an effective means to strengthen and promote our common life as a Communion;

c) asks the Archbishop of Canterbury, in consultation with the Secretary General, to appoint a small working group to consider and consult with the Provinces on Section 4 and its possible revision, and to report to the next meeting of the Joint Standing Committee;

d) asks the JSC, at that meeting, to approve a final form of Section 4;

e) asks the Secretary General to send the revised Ridley Cambridge draft, at that time, only to the member Churches of the Anglican Consultative Council for consideration and decision on acceptance or adoption by them;

e) asks those member Churches to report to ACC-15 on the progress made in the processes of response to, and acceptance or adoption of, the Covenant.

It is now being debated and voted on clause by clause.

Again, there is a status report at Episcopal Café .

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Colin Coward has published the text of the draft resolution:

Covenant Decision Process

Resolution A: Status of Section 4

The ACC:

a) resolves that section 4 of the Ridley Cambridge Draft be detached from the Ridley Cambridge Draft for further consideration and work;

b) asks the Archbishop of Canterbury, in consultation with the Secretary General, to appoint a small working group to consider and consult with the Provinces on Section 4 and its possible revision, and to report to the next meeting of the Joint Standing Committee;

c) resolves that the reconsidered Section 4 may, at the request of the JSC, be offered for adoption as an addendum to the Covenant text.

Resolution B: Draft Resolution on the Covenant

The ACC:

a) thanks the Covenant Design Group for their faithfulness and responsiveness in producing the drafts for an Anglican Communion Covenant and, in particular for the Ridley Cambridge Draft submitted to this meeting;

b) recognises that an Anglican Communion Covenant may provide an effective means to strengthen and promote our common life as a Communion;

c) asks the Secretary General to send the Ridley Cambridge draft, at this time, only to the member Churches of the Anglican Consultative Council for consideration and decision on acceptance or adoption by them;

d) asks those member Churches to report to ACC-15 on the progress made in the processes of response to, and acceptance or adoption of, the Covenant.

There is a status report on the debate here.

3 Comments

ACC – Windsor Continuation Group recommendations accepted

ENS has a report Bulletin: ACC affirms Windsor Continuation Group recommendations.

The representatives of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) affirmed May 8 the Windsor Continuation Group’s final report, which includes moratoria on same-gender blessings, cross-border interventions and the ordination of gay and lesbian people to the episcopate.

The resolution noted the “deep cost” of observing those moratoria and calls the Anglican Communion to “pray for repentance, conversion and renewal; leading to deeper communion.”

The members narrowly rejected (33-32) an attempt to add a fourth moratoria that would have banned litigation over the taking of property by those who leave a diocese or province.

The text of the resolution follows.

The ACC:

1. thanks the Archbishop of Canterbury for his report on the work and recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group;
2. affirms the recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group;
3. affirms the request of the Windsor Report (2004), adopted at the Primates’ Meetings (2005, 2007, 2009), and supported at the Lambeth Conference (2008) for the implementation of the agreed moratoria on the consecration of bishops living in a same-gender union, authorization of public rites of blessing same-sex unions and continued interventions in other provinces;
4. acknowledges the efforts that have been made to hold to the moratoria, gives thanks for the gracious restraint that has been observed in these areas and recognizes the deep cost of such restraint;
5. asks that urgent conversations are facilitated with those provinces where the application of the moratoria gives rise for concern;
6. encourages the Archbishop of Canterbury to work with the Joint Standing Committee and the Secretary General to carry forward the implementation of the Windsor Continuation Group report recommendations as appropriate;
7. asks the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order to undertake a study of the role and responsibilities in the Communion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting; the ecclesiological rationale of each, and the relationships between them, in line with the Windsor Continuation Group report, and to report back to ACC-15;
8. calls the Communion to pray for repentance, conversion and renewal; leading to deeper communion.

In other business, Bishop James Tengatenga of the Diocese of Southern Malawi, in the Church of the Province of Central Africa, was elected to succeed Auckland Bishop John Paterson as chair of the ACC meeting. Tengatenga will serve in that role until the conclusion of the 2015 ACC meeting.

Colin Coward notes that Amendment to add 4th moratoria against litigation lost by one vote.

The Living Church also notes Proposed Moratorium on Litigation Omitted from Draft Resolution.

The text of the original Primates Communiqué on this topic read as follows:

On property disputes

The Primates urge the representatives of The Episcopal Church and of those congregations in property disputes with it to suspend all actions in law arising in this situation. We also urge both parties to give assurances that no steps will be taken to alienate property from The Episcopal Church without its consent or to deny the use of that property to those congregations.

3 Comments

ACC reports – Friday morning

Updated Friday lunchtime

Anglican Journal
People ‘feel they can contribute’
In order to understand the workings of “discernment groups,” Anglican Journal staff writer Marites N. Sison talked to Stephen Lyon, partnership secretary of the Church of England’s Partnership for World Mission.

Ecumenical ‘box of chocolates’ laid out for council
The Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (IASCER) on May 7 asked the 14th ACC meeting here to endorse a set of resolutions, including one that urges the resumption of the Anglican Communion’s dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Middle East.

Anglican Mainstream
Report from ACC-14 Day 6 -The $1.5 million Indaba

Changing Attitude
What does it mean to be gay?

Friday lunchtime update

Changing Attitude
Gay journalist attacked for writing the truth

20 Comments

ACC reports – Thursday evening

ACNS
The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 3
This covers the Anglican Peace and Justice Network.

ACC-14 Press Briefing 7th May 2009 with Canon John Rees

ACC-14 Press Briefing 7th May 2009 with Canon Phil Groves

Anglican Journal
‘Free-floating’ body seeks formal relationship with council

ENS
Anglican Consultative Council Digest

Anglican Mainstream
ACC-14 Day 6 Candidates for election as chair of ACC.

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ACC reports – Thursday morning

ACNS
The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 2
This is concerned with The International Anglican Youth Network.

The Continuing Indaba and Mutual Listening Project

ENS
Anglican Consultative Council Digest

Listening Process ready to move to next phase

Anglican Journal
Anglican Communion can no longer afford ‘ad-hoc’ response to crises, says official

ACC commits church to new stage of listening process

Anglican provinces may be asked to increase contributions

Anglican Mainstream
The Fourth Moratorium – Report from ACC-14 Day 5 Part 1

Coming to a church meeting near you: Indaba funded from Atlanta, Georgia. Report from ACC-14 Day 5 part 2

Changing Attitude
The Listening Process on Human Sexuality – Canon Phil Groves reports to the ACC in Jamaica

Is the Listening Process report good news for LGBT Anglicans?

11 Comments

ACC reports – Wednesday evening

Two more items from ACNS

Resolutions of ACC-14 from 5th May
These cover numerous topics relating to the various Anglican networks.

ACC-14 Press Briefing 6th May 2009
This deals with the final report of the Windsor Continuation Group. There is a link there to the audio of the press conference, featuring Bishop Gregory Cameron.

Another important matter to come before ACC-14 is consideration of the final report of The Windsor Continuation Group. The WCG was set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2007 to advise him on the implementation of the recommendations of the Windsor Report, how best to carry forward the Windsor Process in the life of the Communion, and to consult on the “unfinished business” of the Report.

The Windsor Continuation Group was chaired by Archbishop Clive Handford, the retired President Bishop of Jerusalem & the Middle East.The Group presented a first set of observations at the Lambeth Conference in 2008 and met following Lambeth to prepare a final report. The Primates at their meeting in Alexandria, Egypt in February 2009 received it.

At ACC 14 the Archbishop of Canterbury made a presentation on the report and the meeting will be considering a resolution on this subject on Friday May 8.

A press briefing was held on Wednesday May 6 where Bishop Gregory Cameron spoke of the background and importance of the Windsor Continuation Report and answered questions.

Changing Attitude has an article, The abusive language and myths used about TEC. The article to which this refers was also linked in the earlier TA item below, and is here.

1 Comment

ACC reports – Wednesday morning

Dave Walker, who has drawn this cartoon about the meeting, has also drawn attention to the location of the official Flickr photostream.

ACNS

ACC-14 Press Briefing 5th May 2009

On Tuesday May 5 Archbishop Gomez and Bishop Gregory Cameron held a press briefing reviewing the document and Bishop Gregory explained the process that ACC will follow in considering the text and discussed the kind of resolution that would be needed to forward the Covenant to the provinces for their consideration.

This includes links to the audio of the press conference, and a link to the PDF file containing the address of Archbishop Drexel Gomez concerning the history and current text of the Covenant draft.

The Networks of the Anglican Communion Podcast 1

In the podcast the Rev Paul Holley the Anglican UN representative in Geneva discusses the proposal and the benefits that the Anglican Communion would receive by establishing the Anglican Health Network.

Anglican Journal

Delegates weigh ‘tighter time frame’ for covenant approval process

Anglican Networks gain prominence at ACC

Episcopal News Service

‘Evolving’ covenant adoption process makes for ambiguity

ACC commits to communion’s peace, justice and reconciliation work

Changing Attitude

Accreditation issues

Archbishop of Canterbury emphasises patience and reconciliation, not instant resolution

Anglican Peace and Justice Network panel on homosexuality

Anglican Mainstream

Report from ACC 14- Day Four by Chris Sugden and the Rev. Philip Ashey, C.O.O, American Anglican Council.

2 Comments