Not too long ago, the House of Deputies passed what is by far the least controversial of the Windsor-related resolutions. It is hiding below the keep reading button. I have left in the words that were struck out, and underlined the language that was added by amendment. Attempts to further amend the resolution to include the words “independent” and “autonomous” were defeated, probably (as Father Jake sagely observes) because Prof. Ian Douglass of Episcopal Divinity School, perhaps the leading liberal on the committee that proposed the resolution, spoke against them.
The House of Bishops has yet to consider this resolution.
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion, and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further
Resolved, that the 75th General Convention reaffirm the descriptive Preamble of our church’s Constitution that states that The Episcopal Church is in “a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer”; and be it further
Resolved, that the 75th General Convention join with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the primates, and the Anglican Consultative Council in making a commitment to the vision of interdependent life in Christ, characterized by forbearance, trust, and respect, and commends the ideal expressed in Sections A and B of the Windsor Report as a means of deepening our understanding of that commitment; and be it further
Resolved, that the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, as an expression of this interdependence, the Presiding Officers of both Houses work in partnership with the churches of the Anglican Communion to explore ways by which there might be inter-Anglican consultation and participation on make provision for persons from other Provinces of the Anglican Communion to serve with voice but not vote on each of the Standing Commissions of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church.