Paul Bagshaw, at “Not the same stream” blog has parsed the diversity of reactions and opinions of Primates at the recent Global South Encounter vis a vis the Anglican Covenant:
No clear view of the Covenant from the South
From “Not the same stream” blog and also posted at Thinking Anglicans
Singapore based The Christian Post has kindly set out the views of the Primates at the recent Global South Encounter concerning the Covenant in an article by Edmond Chua entitled New Power Brokers Discuss Future of Anglicanism.
. . .
It was clear that the Global South leaders do not agree on the matter, despite a statement prior to the meeting that 20 Provinces would be expected to endorse the Covenant.
Archbishop John Chew is in an awkward position. He is now the Chair of the Global South Primates’ Steering Committe. And, as a member of the Covenant Design Group, he signed off on the latest version of the Covenant including vesting the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion with powers of implementation.
There may be an interesting question of timing. If the Global South are not confident enough, or know, that they are not strong enough for independence from the western church or, from a different perspective, believe that TEC and ACoC may not sign the Covenant, they have every incentive to wait and see what happens.
I guess also that there’s a dance to the tune of ‘I’ll not sign if you’ll not sign with me’.
And then there is this quote from the communique from the Global South to consider as well:
Fourth Trumpet from the Fourth Anglican Global South to South Encounter
“21. Global South leaders have been in the forefront of the development of the ‘Anglican Covenant’ that seeks to articulate the essential elements of our faith together with means by which we might exercise meaningful and loving discipline for those who depart from the ‘faith once for all delivered to the saints.’ We are currently reviewing the proposed Covenant to find ways to strengthen it in order for it to fulfill its purpose. For example, we believe that all those who adopt the Covenant must be in compliance with Lambeth 1.10. Meanwhile we recognize that the Primates Meeting, being responsible for Faith and Order, should be the body to oversee the Covenant in its implementation, not the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion.”
Read more HERE