<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>From: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><<a href="mailto:publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org">publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org</a>><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">24 juin 2011 23:41:28 HAEC<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>To: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">undisclosed-recipients:;<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><b>Executive Council D020 Task Force releases SCCC report</b><br></span></div><br><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName">
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<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="5" color="black" face="Garamond"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:Garamond;color:black;font-weight:bold">The
Episcopal <st1:personname w:st="on">Church</st1:personname></span></font></b><font color="black"><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="4" color="black" face="Garamond"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Garamond;color:black;font-style:italic">Office
of Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="4" color="black" face="Garamond"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Garamond;color:black;font-style:italic"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><font size="4" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black;
font-weight:bold">Executive Council D020 Task Force releases SCCC report<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">[June 24, 2011] The Executive Council D020 Task Force, a subcommittee
of the Executive Council, has released the report from the Standing Commission
on </span></font>Constitution and Canons.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">In a statement also released by the D020 Task Force: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic">The D020 Task Force has read and
contemplated prayerfully the many comments in the wake of the June 15-17
Executive Council meeting about the report of the Standing Commission on
Constitution and Canons with its analysis of what, if any, changes would be
required to the Constitution and Canons if the Covenant were adopted by The
Episcopal Church.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic">We acknowledge the legitimate
concerns raised about issues of transparency around a decision as important for
our Church as the Anglican Covenant. We are releasing the report immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic">We regret that our initial decision
to withhold release of the SCCC report, which was requested as a resource to
assist the drafting of the Blue Book Report, caused such distress to some in
this Church. There is not and has not been any intent to be secretive, nor was
there any intent to imply that Episcopalians are not capable of accurately
assessing the information in this report.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic">Our goal remains the same – to
produce the most useful report possible for the Blue Book Report to the 77th
General Convention where the Church as a whole will decide the next step in the
Covenant process. We ask for your prayers as we continue with our work.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold">D020 Task Force<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">D020 Task Force members and their dioceses are: Canon Rosalie Simmonds
Ballentine, Virgin Islands, chair; the Rev. Canon Lee Crawford, PhD, <st1:state w:st="on">Vermont</st1:state>; the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state>;
the Rev. Canon Mark Harris, <st1:state w:st="on">Delaware</st1:state>; the Rev.
Dr. James Simons, <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city>; and the Rev.
Winnie Varghese, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">The mandate of the D020 Task Force is: Resolved, That Executive Council
prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church that
includes draft legislation concerning this Church's response to an Anglican
Covenant; and be it further resolved, That dioceses and congregations be
invited to consider the Anglican Covenant proposed draft as a document to
inform their understanding of and commitment to our common life in the Anglican
Communion. <a href="http://generalconvention.org/ccab/mandate/188">http://generalconvention.org/ccab/mandate/188</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman Bold"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman Bold"">The Report<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman Bold"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman Bold""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman Bold"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman Bold"">MEMORANDUM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman Bold"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman Bold"">
<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">TO: The Executive Council <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">FROM: The
Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">DATE: February
15, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Background<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This Memorandum constitutes the report requested from
the Executive Council regarding constitutional and canonical issues arising
from the text of the draft Anglican Covenant. We have been asked to focus on
Section 4 of the draft Covenant. A close reading of the Covenant, and
especially Section 4.4.1, makes it clear that the text of the Preamble and
of the Introduction to the Covenant must be considered as part of the Covenant
itself, despite some confusing language to the contrary. The Commission is
mindful of recent actions and statements by the Archbishop of Canterbury, our
Presiding Bishop, and other primates of the Communion which provide some
perspectives on the subject of future disputes and the understanding of roles
and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As developed further in this report, the SCCC is of
the view that adoption of the current draft Anglican Covenant has the potential<u>
</u>to change the constitutional and canonical framework of TEC, particularly
with respect to the autonomy of our Church, and the constitutional authority of
our General Convention, bishops and dioceses.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Provisions of the
Introduction and Preamble; <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Potential Concerns for
Constitutional Autonomy<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Paragraph 1 of the Introduction speaks of the biblical
treatment of the “communion in Jesus Christ.” It includes the
“Communion of the life of the Church,” as the basis for the
existence and “ordering of the Church.” A fair interpretation of
this text is that our “Communion in Jesus Christ” coexists with our
Communion as constituent members of the Anglican Communion. The implication may
be that the continuation of our communion in Jesus Christ requires accession to
the particular ordering of the church described in the draft Covenant, or which
may be described from time to time by various elements of the Anglican
Communion (e.g., “Instruments of Communion”). If so, this may be
seen as superseding the respective Constitutions and Canons of the constituent
members of the Anglican Communion, including TEC.<font color="#d90b00"><span style="color:#D90B00"> </span></font>This conclusion, if well-founded, may be
of concern to those who believe that the history of the flexibility and growth
of the churches of the Anglican Communion has been largely attributable to our
traditional structures and their local adaptations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> The implied nexus between biblical notions of communion
with the Anglican Communion is developed further in paragraphs 2 and 3 of
the Introduction. These paragraphs begin to illuminate the drafters’
simultaneous expectations of sharing in God’s communion in Jesus Christ,
recognizing responsibilities for our common life, and living out this
relationship “in mutual deference.” Depending on the means and
manner by which these expectations are made manifest in actions at the
Communion level, it may be of concern to TEC and any individual constituent
church within the Communion that any given “Instruments of
Communion” could define “responsibilities of our common
life,” and that invocation of Section 4 is the consequence for
alleged breaches of such defined responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Paragraph 4 provides that the Provinces will
“covenant together as churches of this Anglican Communion to be faithful
to God’s promises through the historic faith we confess, our common
worship, our participation in God’s mission, and the way we live together.”
Again, depending on the forms that this language, if adopted, may take, this
provision may challenge the autonomy of each church and the uniqueness by which
some believe that the Church has received and understands the Scriptures and
understands the Divine (in ways beyond the descriptions of the 1662 Book
of Common Prayer). Arguably, Provincial conformity to this promise within the
Covenant may proscribe or limit any doctrinal actions of the General Convention
or changes to the Book of Common Prayer, a constitutional prerogative.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Finally, the juxtaposition in paragraph 5 of
“the character of this Anglican expression of Christian faith” with
“the common understanding of faith and order we have received”
spotlights the potential tension of simultaneously honoring Anglican tolerance
for variation of expression and understanding with the new structure which may
circumscribe and limit our faith journey in new understandings. The thrust of
the Covenant, that<u>,</u> under certain circumstances, new expression by a
constituent member of its understanding of faith and order may be subject to
the judgment (and assent) of other members of the Communion, may challenge the
authority of the General Convention, under the provisions of our Constitution
and Canons, in identifying and articulating new understandings of our faith and
doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> The Preamble identifies the purpose of the Covenant
“to proclaim more effectively in our different contexts the grace of God
revealed in the Gospel, to offer God’s love in responding to the needs of
the world, to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and
together with all God’s people to attain the full stature of Christ.
Recent actions and statements from the Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding
Bishop, and the primates of the Anglican Communion illustrate the difficulty of
simultaneously recognizing “our different contexts” with the goal
“to maintain the unity of the Spirit . . .” This
invites the inevitable question of whether the expectations of being “in
Communion” or subscribing to the Covenant may be more valuable and useful
from the “30,000 foot level” rather than expecting consensus
or acceptance of differing understandings or actions on the ground. Should the
mutual expectations and accountability for membership in the Anglican Covenant
be limited to broader theological tenants and traditions without conformity and
the more detailed level?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Particular Issues in
Section 4<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> One matter to be considered in assessing the Covenant is
the weight to be accorded the Windsor Report. Although some members of the
Anglican<u> </u>Communion consider the Windsor Report to be authoritative in
its own right, the text of the Windsor Report states that it is intended to be
a document for discussion and study. Some students of the Covenant may be
concerned that it accords the so-called “Instruments of Communion”
a degree of authority and responsibility arguably never historically accorded
them by the collective membership of the Communion. Some observers of the
recent history of the Communion may question why primacy seemingly has been
given to the recommendation that a Covenant be adopted, while it may appear
that other provisions having been largely ignored. Others, however, take the
position that the adoption of a Covenant was, in fact, the “prime
directive” of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Windsor</st1:city></st1:place>
report, with other considerations, although meriting mention in the Report,
being secondary to considerations of promoting adoption of a Covenant. To
some, the idea of a Communion-wide Covenant may appear to be anomalous, when
the underlying document, the Windsor Report, has never itself been adopted or
approved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Section 4.1 of the Covenant reflects tensions between the
concepts of theological harmony within the Communion and Provincial autonomy.
Some may view as contradictory the charge of the Covenant for each covenanting
church to take the steps to implement the stated principles and procedures and
the Covenant’s claim that it does not intentionally alter “any
provision of the Constitution and Canons of any church of the Communion, or to
limit its autonomy of governance.” Similarly, some may be concerned that
the Covenant could be seen as promoting a concept of “interdependence of
life which is consistent with its own life and with the doctrine and practice
of the Christian faith as it has received them, “proscribing actions
which may be taken unilaterally by any of the Instruments of Communion”
or the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion to sanction any constituent
member whose expression of doctrine or practice of the Christian faith is
deemed objectionable to an unspecified number of other members of the
Communion. To others, however, the principal thrust of the Covenant is to
articulate principles of theological comity and harmony that have been
historically understood throughout the spread and development of Anglicanism,
but whose explicit articulation has been made necessary by the divergent
actions of various Provinces. Undoubtedly, however, the Covenant promotes a
disciplinary structure which has not existed, heretofore in the history of the
Anglican Communion. The adoption of a Communion-wide system of discipline may
be, in practice, difficult to establish or conduct, in light of the fact that
each Province has a history and role not related to any concept of such a
formal Communion-wide structure. The governing Provincial bodies represent a
coincidence of how representatives of the Church gather and how we partner in
ministry that is quite distinguishable from a governance function. There is no
consensus as to the actual authority of the Instruments of the Communion. If
the adoption of a Covenant creates a limited governance authority in the
Instruments, our Constitution would need to be amended to acknowledge accession
to that authority. Some may argue that<u> </u>if autonomy is really understood
and respected, so that conformity on any given issue of doctrine or practice is
only important as a prerequisite to staying in the Communion, what is the
reason for the Communion? Others however, may view the concept of such
Communion-wide harmony as being inextricably bound to the nature of being
“in communion.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><s><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></font></s></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">It is necessary, before embracing any Communion-wide
structure, to resolve the issue of how being in the Communion itself informs or
changes our Church’s ability to receive the doctrine and practice of the
Christian faith?<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Paragraph 4.1.3 provides<u> </u>that<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:94.0pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> . . . such mutual
commitment does not represent submission to any external ecclesiastical
jurisdiction. Nothing in this Covenant of itself shall be deemed to alter any
provision of the Constitution and Canons of any church of the Communion, or to
limit its autonomy of governance. The Covenant does not grant to any one church
or any agency of the Communion control or direction over any church of the
Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The implementation of the Covenant, and especially of
Section 4, could arguably provide a mechanism by which other churches of
the community or agencies of the Communion could seek to exert influence if not
control and direction over any church of the Communion whose actions (such as
ordaining non-celibate gay and lesbian persons or authorizing blessing of same
sex unions) was deemed (by said other church or agency) to threaten the
relationship of the churches of the Communion. This may create legislative
conflict in light of the connectivity of our Constitution and Canons with the
Book of Common Prayer, and the special nature of the role we accord to our
bishops in defending, but not themselves establishing, the Doctrine, Discipline,
and Worship of the Church; and the limited prerogatives of bishops to authorize
special forms of worship. Certainly, in considering the adoption of a Covenant,
we would have to consider carefully its effect on the discretion historically
accorded to diocesan bishops in the Episcopal Church. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Paragraph 4.1.5 presents an intricately defined set of
foreseeable circumstances wherein any one of the “Instruments of
Communion” might invite another church to adopt the Covenant, and might
indeed invite membership in the Communion without the consent or concurrence of
other “Instruments of Communion.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> It is not particularly clear what the effect would be for
any church deciding not to adopt the Covenant, although paragraph 4.3.1
regarding withdrawal from the Covenant suggests that there would be a
continuing relationship of an undefined nature with the Communion. In remarks
concerning the Covenant, the Archbishop of Canterbury has likened the
relationship between those Provinces not adopting the Covenant to those who
elect to adopt it with the present relationship between the Anglican and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Methodist</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Churches</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Section 4.2.1 begins to make clearer the intention
that adherence to the Covenant would be a prerequisite to mutual recognition
and communion between the respective churches. The adoption of such an explicit
structure is a historic and significant departure for the Anglican Communion
churches. The constitutional and canonical conundrum arising from this
statement is that the positions and actions of the Church (often expressed
through its Constitution and Canons) may determine whether the Episcopal Church
continues to be recognized as a member of the Anglican Communion, however,
there is no agreed standard for compliance any given action by the Episcopal
Church could be considered to be offensive by one or more other member churches
or by one of the “Instruments of Communion.” The other
constituent members of the Communion ascribing to the Covenant would,
presumably, be similarly situated. This would give rise to a
“dispute” as contemplated in Section 4.2. The matter would be
referred to the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, which by this
Covenant seems to be granted a new juridical authority without accountability
to anyone or any other entity, as the Covenant does not, in its present form,
provide for review of or appeal from decisions of the Standing Committee.
There is no provision that decisions of the Standing Committee may be appealed
to the Anglican Consultative Council. <font color="#d90b00"><span style="color:#D90B00"> </span></font>Some may be concerned that the
recommendation ultimately rendered by the Standing Committee and the
“relational consequences” described within the recommendation may
effectively be the banishment or other reduction in status for the offending
church. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Section 4.2.3 seems to be the enforcement mechanism
for Section 3.2. Section 3.2 has significant consequences concerning<u>
</u>our understanding of autonomy and the respect for how a church receives its
understanding of the doctrine and practice of the Christian faith. It has been
interpreted by some to preclude the right of a church to live into any newly
received understanding of the doctrine or practice, including (for example) any
changes to the Book of Common Prayer, approval of new liturgies, etc. The
process for consideration and approval of such changes is a constitutional
element, with no provision therein for deferring to a separate process within
the Anglican Communion. Our Constitution might therefore have to be amended to
acknowledge a mechanism for deferring to such a separate process if the
Covenant is to be approved. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Section 4.2.4 requires referral to the Standing
Committee where “a shared mind has not been reached.” However, the
Covenant fails to define the criteria for determining if the Communion is of a
“shared mind” on any particular theological issue. There is no
specific process or timetable within which the Standing Committee of the
Communion is expected to act in resolving such questions and no appeal from any
undue delay. Accordingly, the constitutional autonomy of the Episcopal Church
in its future articulation of doctrine or practice could be compromised by this
provision. Referral of the question of “shared mind” to the
Anglican Consultative Council and the primates’ meeting “for
advice” is beyond any previously established authority or mandate for
these groups. <font color="#d90b00"><span style="color:#D90B00"> </span></font>The
Covenant is also unclear as to whether, in those Provinces that decline to
adopt its provisions, individual dioceses may assent to the Covenant. Although
some TEC dioceses have purported to adopt the Covenant through legislative
action, the effect of such actions is unclear, especially given that TEC has
not yet acted as a body on the Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Paragraph 4.2.8 defines the structure, process, and
apparent authority of the Standing Committee, as described in the Covenant, to
churches who have adopted or are “in the process of adopting” the
Covenant. This provision could be interpreted to supersede any constitutional
or other governing provisions of the respective church and of other respective
Instruments of Communion regarding their decision-making processes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Section 4.2 would require substantial Constitutional
and canonical action on the part of the Episcopal Church. It would purport to
require the Episcopal Church to put into place “mechanisms, agencies, or
institutions,” necessary to assure the compliance with the Covenant of
all levels of the Church and respective dioceses. It further implies an
expectation that the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church be amended
to empower the Presiding Bishop to become the Anglican Communion de facto
compliance officer for the Episcopal Church, which would clearly exceed her
present constitutional and canonical authority.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Constitution and
Canons of TEC<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Preamble to our Constitution describes a
relationship with the Anglican Communion, in that we are a constituent member
of a fellowship of dioceses, provinces and regional churches in communion with
the Archbishop of Canterbury. There is no accession clause or limitation of jurisdiction
or autonomy associated with this relationship. Likewise, there is no accession
or deference to the Anglican Communion in provisions of the Constitution and
Canons where deference would be relevant.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Article V provides for the creation of new dioceses
in the Episcopal Church, with no reference to Anglican Communion approval or
consent. New dioceses are also required to include an unqualified accession to
the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, without reference to the
Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Article VIII
and IX require compliance by the clergy of the Rules and Canons of the
Episcopal Church, with no reference to assent by the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">In
Article X the Book of Common Prayer provisions describe the preservation
of the Book of Common Prayer and amendments thereto by the General Convention
of this Church, without deference to or assent required by the Anglican
Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Article XII
provides for procedures for amending our Constitution, without requiring
consent or approval by the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Applicable Canonical
Provisions<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> In Title I, Canon 2.4, the role of the Presiding
Bishop as chief pastor and primate is described, with no express duty or
authority regarding our participation in the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 4.2, provides that the Executive
Council will elect a representative to the Anglican Consultative Council.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canons 9.2 and 10, describe the process
for approving new dioceses, with no accession to or approval by the Anglican
Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 10.4, explicitly provides for the
requirement of new dioceses to submit an unqualified accession to the Episcopal
Church, with no reference to the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 11.2(b) and Canon 11.3,
describe ecumenical missions without requiring accession to or deference to the
Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 11.4, requires notice to all
Archbishops and Metropolitans and all Presiding Bishops of churches in
communion with the Episcopal Church of the establishment of any area mission or
change in status of any missionary diocese outside the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>, but with no assent
or approval required by the Anglican Communion. That Canon goes on to prescribe
the exercise of any jurisdiction by more than one church in communion in the
same place except by concordat.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 15.1, provides for congregations
in foreign lands to respect the territory of other churches in the Anglican
Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title I, Canon 20, describes the Episcopal Church
as a member of the Anglican Communion with a relationship of full communion
with those churches of the historic episcopal succession and with whom it has
entered into covenant agreements. It does not otherwise define what being a
member of the Anglican Communion means or infer any accession to the Anglican
Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title II provides for authorized translations of the
Bible in the Canons or by the diocesan bishop, with no reference to the
Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title II, Canon 3, provides for the Book of
Common Prayer and changes thereto without reference to the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title II, Canon 4, provides for the authorization
of special forms of service by the bishop of the diocese without reference to
the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title III, Canon 1.2, provides that there shall
be no discrimination in access to the discernment process for ordination or
licensing, without reference or deference to the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> Title III, Canon 11, describes the process for
the election of a bishop, without reference to the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">______</span></font><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Episcopal Church
welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas
in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide
Anglican Communion. <o:p></o:p></span></font></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic">The Episcopal Church: <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/">www.episcopalchurch.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian">www.facebook.com/episcopalian</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic">Twitter: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fiamepiscopalian&h=61363ece26486364538f948b8d6a6688" target="_blank">twitter.com/iamepiscopalian</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic">Panorama: <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/blogs/panorama/">http://www.episcopalchurch.org/blogs/panorama/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic">YouTube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/TECtube">www.youtube.com/TECtube</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"># # # #<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic">For more info contact:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:personname w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:
italic">Neva</span></font></i></st1:place><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic"> Rae Fox</span></font></i></st1:personname><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:
italic"><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic">Public Affairs Officer<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic">The Episcopal <st1:personname w:st="on">Church</st1:personname><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic"><a href="mailto:publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org">publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic">212-716-6080 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mobile</st1:city></st1:place>: 917-478-5659<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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