While the Church of England dioceses are voting on the question of the Anglican Covenant, there’s a second resolution being in considered in just less than a quarter of the 44 dioceses. It’s related to the Covenant question, but it doesn’t reference the Covenant directly. It thanks the Archbishop of Canterbury for his leadership and calls on the English House of Bishops to take much more seriously their responsibility for promoting the community of the Communion.
Thinking Anglicans has published the text of the “following motion”.
“A following motion to the Article 8 reference of the Anglican Covenant
Version five:
‘This Diocesan Synod, following the reference from the General Synod of the draft Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant, requests the General Synod to debate the following motion:
“That this Synod:
(a) rejoice in the fellowship of the world-wide Anglican Communion, which is rooted in our shared worship and held together by bonds of affection and our common appeal to Scripture, tradition and reason;
(b) thank the Archbishop of Canterbury for his tireless efforts throughout the Communion to sustain and strengthen unity in difficult times; and
(c) call on the House of Bishops:
(i)to find ways to maintain and reinforce strong links across the world-wide Anglican Communion and to deepen the Church of England’s involvement with the existing Communion ministries and networks (especially the continuing Indaba process);
(ii) to publicise and promote this work within the dioceses of the Church of England in order to broaden understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the Anglican Communion; and
(iii) to encourage a wide understanding of, and support for, the next Lambeth Conference.” ’”
Four dioceses so far: Chelmsford, Bath & Wells, Worcester and Southward, have adopted the resolution. No diocese that has considered it has defeated it.
Apparently this following motion is giving people in the Synods a way to support the Archbishop and his ministry in the Communion and separate that question out from the main issue of the Covenant. Or at least that how this appears to this American reading the thing.
Any other readings occur to you?