'A curate's egg' sums up our response.   The Report's analysis and recommendations are good in some parts, but we have serious reservations about other parts.  

The Report should be assessed according to four criteria:  do its recommendations affirm the supreme authority of scripture?   Do they provide for effective discipline?  Do they affirm mutual accountability within the family of churches which make up the Communion?   Do they provide adequate protection for orthodox congregations in revisionist dioceses?

On scripture we were glad to see that the Commission reaffirms the classical Anglican position that scripture is our supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct.   The Report also makes clear (para 58) the importance of the role of bishops as 'teachers of scripture':  it can 'hardly be over-emphasised'.   When we depart from what scripture teaches, hurt and division are always likely to follow.

On discipline the Report's recommendations will have to be more fully developed if they are to achieve what is required - which is more than the self-discipline which calls for expressions of regret and standing down from meetings.   Much will depend on the line which the Archbishop of Canterbury takes:  will he withhold invitations to take part in the Communion's Councils from those who consecrated V. Gene Robinson in the case of ECUSA or have approved same-sex unions in the case of the Church of Canada?

On accountability the Report makes important advances.   It makes very clear that provinces are not entitled to act unilaterally on core doctrinal and moral issues:  they have a responsibility, which ECUSA and the Church of Canada failed to honour, to take into account the views and interests of other churches and dioceses in the Communion.    That clarity we welcome.  We are attracted too by the concept of a 'Communion Covenant' but note that it will take many years to put in place.   What will happen in the meantime?

On protection we are deeply disappointed.    The Report's proposals for delegated Episcopal oversight appear to leave loyal Anglicans who wish to remain faithful to the position of the Communion at the mercy of revisionist dioceses who have failed to honour their responsibilities.   That will not do, and we call upon the Primates to make good their undertaking of October 2003 to ensure that adequate Episcopal care and oversight is provided to loyal Anglicans in such a situation - and the test of adequacy is whether it is acceptable to those receiving it.

We will be undertaking a fuller study of the Report and will publish a more detailed response in a few weeks' time.  That will, we hope, contribute to the process whereby the recommendations of the Report can be turned into decisions by the Primates and acted upon by the provinces within their care.

Dr Philip Giddings (Convenor), Bishop Wallace Benn, Rev David Banting (vicar of St Peter's Harold Wood, Essex), the Venerable Dr Paul Gardner (chairman of the Church of England Evangelical Council), the Revd John Coles, Director, New Wine, and Canon Dr Chris Sugden.

Anglican Mainstream UK

Contact Philip Giddings  0790 557 2479

Chris Sugden 0780-829-7043

Date Created: 10/19/2004 11:14:00 AM