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 CommentsENS 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:
3 CommentsOn 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.
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
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.
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
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 CommentsTwo 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 CommentDave 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
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 CommentsThe full text of his sermon last Sunday is available, together with an audio recording, on the website of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
ENS and Anglican Journal each report on today’s events:
Williams calls for more cohesive, theologically aware communion
Anglican body considers ‘relational consequences’ proposal for breaches of moratoria
Further material is also available:
Ruth Gledhill has Archbishop of Canterbury ‘Chaos and division’ in all around we see which includes, among other things, the text of the DRAFT resolution:
The ACC
a) thanks the Archbishop of Canterbury for his report on the work and recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group.
b) affirms the recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group.
c) encourages the Archbishop of Canterbury to work with the Joint Standing Committee and Secretary General to carry forward the implementation of these recommendations as appropriate.
d) affirms the request of the Windsor Report (2004), adopted at the Primates’ Meetings (2005, 2007 and 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, authorisation of public Rites of blessing for Same Sex unions and continued interventions in other Provinces, and urges gracious restraint in all these areas.
e) requests IASCUFO to undertake a study of the role and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting in the Communion, their ecclesiological rationale and the relationships between them in line with the recommendation of paragraph 76 of the WCG Report, and to report back to ACC-15.
Anglican Mainstream has The Archbishop of Canterbury’s presentation of the Windsor Continuation Group report.
Episcopal Café has drawn attention to a report from Canadian delegate Suzanne Lawson, concerning the draft resolution relating to the Covenant.
2 CommentsThe resolution we’ve been asked to consider, prepared by the Joint Standing Committee, addresses my major concern with the draft Covenant, and that is that there is the provision that other “churches” (read, potentially, the break-away splinter group in Canada, or individual dioceses or parishes) can adopt the Covenant. The resolution asks that only the current member churches of the ACC be asked to consider and adopt the Covenant at this time. A wise insertion in the draft resolution…I hope it remains there to keep us together and not encouraging further splintering.
From ACNS
ACC welcomed at opening Service at National Arena Kingston Jamaica
ACC-14 Press Briefing 4th May 2009
Changing Attitude Peace and Justice Commission will keep homosexuality on the agenda until justice prevails
0 CommentsThe following official statement has been issued:
Statement from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
That page has a link to the audio of the press conference.
There is also a PDF file containing all the correspondence.
Report from ENS Church of Uganda nominee denied participation in Anglican Consultative Council.
Report from Anglican Journal Uganda primate protests decision to disallow delegate to ACC.
Anglican Mainstream has this account from Chris Sugden Report from ACC-14 Day Three: The Anglican Communion Covenant and Uganda’s right to choose its delegate.
And there is a report from Uganda, Uganda People News: Orombi writes to Williams as row in the Anglican Church widens
8 CommentsTwo reports on the Covenant, ENS has ACC asked to send covenant to provinces for approval and Anglican Journal has Non-approval of proposed covenant could ‘make or break’ Anglican Communion, warns design group chair.
There is a further unrelated Canadian report World economic crisis an opportunity to redirect priorities, says Anglican Environmental Network convenor.
Colin Coward has Covenant anxieties expressed in first ACC Plenary.
Anglican Mainstream has The Covenant: an introduction by Archbishop Drexel Gomez.
5 CommentsThe Church of Uganda has attempted to seat the Rev. J. Philip Ashey, Chief Operating Officer of the American Anglican Council, as its clerical representative to the Anglican Consultative Council Meeting in Jamaica.
The Joint Standing Committee of the Primates Meeting and the ACC has refused the request.
Read more details of the story at Episcopal Café.
The Living Church has a report, ACC Meeting Starts with Credentials Flap
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meeting in Jamaica began May 2 under protest when the credentials of the Rev. Philip Ashey, the clergy representative designated by the Church of Uganda, were rejected by the Joint Standing Committee (JSC) of the primates and the ACC.
“The Joint Standing Committee has discussed this at length,” wrote the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the ACC in a letter dated April 30 and sent to the Most Rev. Henry Orombi, Archbishop of Uganda. “We understand that the Rev. Philip Ashey’s relationship with the Church of the Province of Uganda is as a result of a cross-provincial intervention, and note that such interventions are contrary to the Windsor Report and other reports accepted by successive meetings of the Instruments of Communion, including Primates’ Meetings you have attended.” Canon Kearon was to offer a statement on the credentials situation at the conclusion of a May 4 press briefing.
More links soon.
5 CommentsAnglican Journal ‘Worship: Jamaica-style’ reflects celebration and message of hope
Episcopal News Service In Jamaica, thousands attend Anglican Consultative Council Opening Eucharist
Robert Lundy and Chris Sugden of the American Anglican Council and Anglican Mainstream are jointly reporting on the meeting, see Report from ACC-14 Day One and Report from ACC-14: Day Two – Opening Festival Service.
So also is Colin Coward of Changing Attitude, see ACC Opening Service in the National Arena, Archbishop Rowan’s sermon at the ACC opening service, and also earlier reports, What do Jamaican Anglicans really think about homosexuality? and Anglican Consultative Council 14 – Kingston Jamaica.
5 CommentsThe Anglican Church of Canada has set up a news hub for reporting from the ACC.
The first official press briefing can be found at ACC-14 Press Briefing 2nd May 2009.
ENS has Members of Anglican Consultative Council prepare for meeting. More links to video coverage here.
The Canadian Anglican Journal has these reports so far:
Canadian Anglicans express high hopes for ACC meeting
ACC to decide whether draft covenant can now be sent to Anglican member churches for approval
2 CommentsThree articles published last week in the run-up to the ACC meeting:
Savitri Hensman Comment is free Gay people need justice in Jamaica
Graham Kings Fulcrum and also Church of England Newspaper Between the Primates’ Meeting and the ACC
Michael Nazir-Ali Church of England Newspaper via Religious Intelligence Is the much-debated Covenant fit for purpose?
4 CommentsThe Archbishop of Sydney has recently been in Ireland. The Church of Ireland Gazette has full coverage:
Archbishop of Sydney in rallying call to Church of Ireland evangelicals
and also has an editorial, ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA.
9 CommentsGiles Fraser Church Times Why blogs can be bad for the soul
Theo Hobson Guardian: Comment is free Face to faith: Christians disillusioned with the churches should articulate an alternative
B P Dandelion Times Credo: Uncertainty speaks volumes in the sound of silence
Christopher Howse Telegraph Green men cut in church stonework
15 CommentsThe 14th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council opens today in Kingston Jamaica, although there is no business until tomorrow.
The official website of the world-wide Anglican Communion has these pages:
Daily Programme (copied below the fold for ease of reference)
Documents
List of Participants
There is also a News page. At present it only has
The Anglican Consultative Council, made up of lay people, clergy and bishops from the 38 Anglican Provinces of the Communion, meets in Kingston Jamaica May 1 – 13, to consider among other things, mission in the 21st century, the future structure of the worldwide Church, and theological education.
Also relevant are the Anglican Covenant papers.
The Anglican Church of Canada has set up a “a web hub with links to news and blogs that will be updated during the ACC meeting”.
10 CommentsGiles Fraser Church Times No tasks left for the risen Jesus
Christopher Howse Telegraph The earth and the Son of Man
Several items from the Guardian’s Comment is free section.
David Bryant Guardian: Comment is free Face to Faith Tolerance of other faiths is not enough – we must strive for true acceptance
Chris Liley Guardian: Comment is free Why I chased the BNP from my cathedral
Giles Fraser St George the immigrant
Jonathan Sacks Times Credo: Sunday shopping has not made us better or happier
50 CommentsAs noted in the preceding item, the Church Times has reported that the Covenant is to be used as litmus test of Anglicanism.
Now, the Daily Episcopalian asks a related question, The Anglican Covenant: Dar by other means?
Jim Naughton writes:
Is it possible that proposed Anglican Covenant is a means of achieving a modified version of the Dar es Salaam settlement proposed by the Primates of the Anglican Communion in 2007?
The communiqué released after that meeting proposed a “pastoral scheme”, which created a church within a church led by almost exactly the same bishops who signed the factually challenged document on diocesan autonomy released yesterday by the Anglican Communion Institute.
The ACI, with Fulcrum in the United Kingdom, were influential in creating the pastoral scheme and articulating the Camp Allen principles that were also endorsed by the Primates. The Dar settlement was almost unanimously rejected by the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops, (which, as Sally Johnson chancellor to Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, has demonstrated, did not have the constitutional authority to affirm it.) Despite its rejection, the leaders of the ACI continued to press for its provisions to be imposed on the Episcopal Church, even though the Dar settlement makes no provisions for this eventuality, and the Primates Meeting lacks the authority to force settlements on member Churches…
The Church Times reported:
8 Comments…The Anglican Partner bishops have declared themselves to be loyal to the Episcopal Church and to the Anglican Communion. Their move can be seen as an alternative path to that taken by the Common Cause Anglicans in the United States, who last year established the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) under the deposed Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Rt Revd Bob Duncan.
None the less, their latest move to use the Covenant as a test of orthodoxy parallels moves by the ACNA last week. The Covenant has been criticised by conservatives in the past, and the first version of a communiqué issued by the GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) Primates in London last week appeared to be sceptical about the latest draft of the Covenant (the “Ridley draft”, News, 17 April): “While we support the concept of an Anglican Covenant . . . if those who have left the standards of the Bible are able to enter the Covenant with a good conscience, it seems to be of little use.”
This was later changed to: “We welcome the Ridley Cambridge Draft Covenant and call for principled response from the provinces.”
Interviewed at Heathrow on Thursday of last week, Bishop Duncan said that the Covenant would be debated at the ACNA provincial assembly in June. “We imagine that, while we as the Anglican Church in North Ameri-can ratify the Covenant, neither the US Church, when it meets three weeks later, nor the Church of Canada, when it has its next general synod, will be in any hurry to ratify it. The question will be for the Communion: ‘Who actually are the partners?’”