From June 3 to 11, 2010, more than 300 delegates will gather in Halifax, N.S. for the Anglican Church of Canada’s national meeting, General Synod, held once every three years. This web forum is a place to discuss the major topics that will arise at General Synod—from governance to sexuality. You are invited to join the conversation.
The Anglican Communion Covenant is a series of affirmations and commitments offered to the provinces of the Anglican Communion with the intention of strengthening the bonds of affection and relationships amongst the provinces for their common witness and mission. It was compiled by an international Covenant Design Group with ongoing input from Anglican Communion provinces.
Like other relational covenants into which the Anglican Church of Canada has entered—such as the Waterloo Declaration of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada—it is not legislative, but sets a common vision and set of commitments. The affirmations made regarding our common heritage and life together ground a description of Anglican identity in those experiences already shared and commitments already made, such as the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral and the Marks of Mission. It serves as a means to assist mutual recognition and deeper understanding both of who we are as Anglican Christians and who we are called to be in service of God’s mission.
In Section Four, affirmations and commitments are offered relating to processes and principles that should be followed in situations of conflict between provinces. The particular issues of potential or present conflict are not named, and the processes laid out work within the present structures of the Anglican Consultative Council, with the standing committee of that council serving as the mediating agent. The standing committee’s power is only to recommend courses of relational consequences to the council’s own constitutionally formed processes.
Member churches of the Anglican Consultative Council are invited to enter into this covenanted relationship, which makes tangible affirmations and commitments about our common heritage, participation in God’s mission, and mutual responsibility in the bonds of affection. When a situation of conflict arises, churches are enjoined to seek the mind of Christ, and the affirmations and commitments in Sections One, Two and Three provide tools for discerning dialogue. The possible outcomes cannot be predicted. Common mind may include, for example, the agreement to disagree on a particular issue, but to keep walking together. What is clear is that Section Four does not supplant the existing authorities, the canons and constitutions of provinces, or the constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council.
At General Synod 2010
The Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee is bringing this motion to General Synod 2010:
That this General Synod:
1. receive the final text of the Covenant for the Anglican Communion;
2. request that materials be prepared under the auspices of the Anglican Communion Working Group, for parishes and dioceses in order that study and consultation be undertaken on the Covenant for the Anglican Communion;
3. direct the Council of General Synod, after this period of consultation and study, to bring a recommendation regarding adoption of the Covenant for the Anglican Communion to the General Synod of 2013.
Why “study and consultation”?
The General Synod of 2007 committed itself to the Covenant process. Our church has consulted widely and deeply. Canadian input has helped significantly to shape the course of the various drafts and the final version. However, the final version of Section Four, released December 2009, has not yet been submitted to this sort of study. We need the time to reflect and ask: What would the adoption of this Covenant mean for our life as Anglican Church of Canada internally, and in Communion and ecumenical relationships? Before facing the question of adoption, we need to engage in informed discernment.
Begin study now
General Synod delegates are encouraged to begin their study of the Covenant now. The text is available as part of the Convening Circular [PDF]. In addition, materials provided on the Anglican Communion website offer detailed commentaries on each clause of the text, and deal with frequently asked questions and points of contention.
Read and offer your input: How might the Covenant nurture better relationships in the Anglican Communion?
