According to Episcopal News Service, there is a resolution, approved today by Executive Council, that will now automatically become an 'A' resolution in the General Convention "Blue Book." It thanks those who participated in the development of the Anglican Covenant, but states that the Episcopal Church is unable to subscribe to the covenant in its present form.
The effect of this is that, unless somebody else submits another resolution that actually makes it to the floor, deputies and bishops will not have an opportunity to vote for the adoption of the covenant. The way it is framed, even if Executive Council's 'A' resolution is defeated (an unlikely event, IMO), TEC would still not be adopting the covenant.
This should certainly come as no surprise to anyone. It is nonetheless sobering to see the machinery for our rejection of the covenant taking concrete form.
I am an ardent supporter of both the idea of an Anglican covenant and the particular text of the covenant that has been developed. It lights the approach path for a quantum leap in Anglicanism's "coming of age" as a wordwide communion with a particularly ecumenical vocation.I would like to have the opportunity to cast my vote in its favor, even in a losing effort.
That said, I must confess that Council's resolution is probably an accurate representation of the center of gravity of opinion in the church. Regrettable, but accurate. There is a great work of teaching and winning of hearts and minds to be done.
This certainly sends a message to the rest of the world. TEC will go its own way.
ReplyDeletePray that there will be students eager to learn the teaching of which you speak.
There seems to be an interesting convergence in Episcopal governance these days. Bp. Saul's presentation, the Bp. Lawrence Affair, and now the Rejection Resolution. All of which seem to point towards a very clear breakdown in the governing structures on the national level. We're now at a point where EC and others are preserving the governing structures for the sake of preserving the structures, regardless of what needs to be done or what the Gospel teaches us to do.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news. I firmly believe TEC "gets it".
ReplyDeleteThe fact that TEC is not alone on this path is also worthy of remark. . . see: http://anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/Tikanga-Maori/Maori-quash-Anglican-Covenant
ReplyDelete"unless somebody else submits another resolution that actually makes it to the floor..."
ReplyDeleteHow, exactly, would this happen? Are there any signs that something like this might happen? Why don't you or another one of the bishops do it?