PROPOSED ANGLICAN COVENANT DEFEATED IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

LONDON – No Anglican Covenant Coalition Moderator, the Revd Dr Lesley Crawley, has issued the following statement on the defeat of the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant in the Church of England.

“With today’s results from the dioceses of Oxford and Lincoln, the proposed Anglican Covenant is now dead in the water in the Church of England. This also poses serious problems for the Covenant in other Provinces as it seems nonsensical to have the Archbishop of Canterbury in the second tier of the Anglican Communion and excluded from the central committees.

“When we launched the No Anglican Covenant Coalition 18 months ago, we were assured that the Anglican Covenant was an unstoppable juggernaut. We started as simply a band of bloggers, but we would like to thank the hundreds of supporters and our patrons for their dedication to promoting debate. The Covenant needed the approval of 23 diocesan synods, as of today, that result is no longer possible.

“Especially we would like to congratulate people in Diocesan Synods across the Church of England who, despite attempts in many dioceses to silence or marginalize dissenting voices, endeavoured to promote debate, ensuring that the Anglican Covenant was subjected to significant and meaningful scrutiny. We found, as the debate went on, that the more people read and studied the Covenant, the less they liked it.

“Under Church of England procedures , this proposal to centralize Communion-wide authority in the hands of a small, self-selecting group cannot return to the agenda of General Synod for at least three years.

“We are seeing the momentum turning internationally as well. The Episcopal Church of the Philippines has officially rejected the Covenant, the opposition of the Tikanga Maori virtually assures that the Covenant will be rejected in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and we are seeing increasing opposition in other Provinces of the Communion.

“While today’s diocesan synod results are exciting and gratifying, we are well aware that there is still work to do. However, if the proposed Anglican Covenant does not stand up to scrutiny in the Church of England, we are confident that it will not stand up to scrutiny elsewhere.

“We hope that the Church of England will now look to bring reconciliation within the Anglican Communion by means of strengthening relationships rather than punitive legislation.”

Archbishop of Canterbury to be Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge

Archbishop Rowan Williams has today announced his acceptance of the position of Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge with effect from January 2013. He will therefore be stepping down from the office of Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of December 2012. 

Dr Williams’ intentions have been conveyed to The Queen, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who formally appoints the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Williams was appointed the one hundred and fourth Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002. He said today:

It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision.  During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond.  I am abidingly grateful to all those friends and colleagues who have so generously supported Jane and myself in these years, and all the many diverse parishes and communities in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion that have brought vision, hope and excitement to my own ministry.  I look forward, with that same support and inspiration, to continuing to serve the Church’s mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead.

Dr Williams will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury, both for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, until the end of the year.

The Crown Nominations Commission will consider in due course the selection of a successor.

Some recent highlights of the Archbishop's time in office follow:

Faith

Archbishop Rowan is first and foremost a priest and Christian teacher in the Diocese of Canterbury and the country as a whole.  As Archbishop he shares Christian teaching with the widest possible range of enquirers. 

	Dialogue on the nature and origin of human beings Thurs 23rd Feb 2012 - Archbishop Rowan Williams, Professor Richard Dawkins and Sir Anthony Kenny discuss "The nature of human beings and the question of their ultimate origin."
	The Archbishop writes to Lulu, aged 6, about God  Fri 22nd Apr 2011 - When his six-year-old daughter, Lulu, wrote a letter to God, journalist Alex Renton did his best to get her an answer.
	Visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Fri 17 Sept 2010 - Pope Benedict XVI visited Archbishop Rowan Williams at the Archbishop's London home, Lambeth Palace.
	'In Search of God' With John Humphrys Tues 31st Oct 2006 - the Archbishop talks about faith, free will, and the love of God with John Humphrys for the BBC Radio 4 series 'Humphrys In Search of God'.

National Life

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Established Church in England.  At times of national celebration or solemn reflection, he leads the nation's prayers. 

	The Queen makes Diamond Jubilee visit  Weds 15th Feb 2012 - Archbishop Rowan Williams hosted a multi-faith reception for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Lambeth Palace.
	Armistice Day service - 'our Forces have taken risks for the lives of strangers' Fri 11th Nov 2011 - The Archbishop preached at the Act of Remembrance in the churchyard of St Bartholomew’s Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church.
	The Archbishop of Canterbury on the Royal Wedding   Thurs 21st Apr 2011 - in a video filmed shortly before the Royal Wedding, the Archbishop talks about the sense of hopefulness and generosity which lie at the heart of marriage.
	Sermon: end of military operations in Iraq Fri 9th Oct 2009 - In a service of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the end of military operations in Iraq, the Archbishop questioned the morality of the war.

Political Issues

Politics shapes how we live together in society.  Archbishop Rowan offers the wisdom of Christian teaching and ethical reflection in public debates that affect us all.

	House of Lords Debate on Christians in the Middle East Fri 9th Dec 2011 - The Archbishop spoke in the House of Lords about Christians in the Middle East, saying that their position was 'more vulnerable than it has been for centuries'.
	Archbishop gives evidence on House of Lords Reform Mon 28th Nov 2011 - The Archbishop gave evidence on the Draft Bill on House of Lords Reform, saying that the Second Chamber needed to 'represent the diversity of non-partisan civil society'.
	Time for us to challenge the idols of high finance Tues 1st Nov 2011 - The Archbishop on the 'widespread and deep exasperation with the financial establishment that shows no sign of diminishing'.
	The New Statesman, guest-edited by Rowan Williams Thurs 9th Jun 2011 - In his leader article, the Archbishop notes a widespread anxiety about proposed reforms and 'the feeling that not enough has been exposed to proper public argument'.
	Ethics, Economics and Global Justice - Cardiff lecture  Sat 7th Mar 2009 - at a time of market turmoil, the Archbishop said it was essential for ethical behaviour to be an integral part of the economic process.

Social Concerns

Archbishop Rowan's ministry is shaped by Jesus' teaching that we should 'love our neighbour as ourselves'.  Archbishop Rowan speaks regularly to those who risk being marginalised, so that he can bring their concerns to public view. 

	Prison visit to HMP Grendon Fri 8th Jul 2011 - In an article published in the Guardian Online, Andrew Brown describes a visit by the Archbishop to HMP Grendon.
	Literacy, dignity and freedom - the Evening Standard Tues 7th Jun 2011 - In an article published in the Evening Standard as part of its Get London Reading campaign, the Archbishop says 'literacy is still about dignity and freedom'.
	Archbishop Tenison's School in Oval Tues 8th Mar 2011 - The Archbishop visited this Church of England comprehensive school for boys, which places a special emphasis on art.
	Renewing the Face of the Earth - Ebor lecture in York Weds 25th Mar 2009 - In this speech, the Archbishop says that respect for the environment is not an optional extra, especially for Christians.
	House of Lords debate - the Good Childhood Inquiry Thursday 12th February 2009 - The Archbishop spoke in the House of Lords, calling attention to the publication of the Good Childhood Inquiry report.

International Affairs:

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion, representing 85 million Christians in 165 countries.  Archbishop Rowan shares in the work of churches around the world to teach the Christian faith and to care for those in need or in danger. 

	Archbishops' meeting with Zimbabwean President Mon 10th Oct 2011 - The Archbishops of Canterbury, Central Africa, Southern Africa and Tanzania met with President Robert Mugabe to protest against abuses.
	Into the Heart of Africa - Church Times article Fri 1st Jul 2011 - The Archbishop made a pastoral visit to the Church in north-east Congo, which is rebuilding after conflict. Malcolm Doney from the Church Times went too.
	Archbishop’s visit to Kibera slums, Kenya Thurs 23rd Jun 2011 - During a trip to Kenya, the Archbishop saw first-hand the 'inspiring work' being done by local churches in situations of extreme overcrowding and poverty.

Inter-religious Relations

Reflecting the Christian principles of love and charity, Archbishop Rowan works to build harmonious relations between religions.

	Reflections on Auschwitz - Birkenau Thurs 13th Nov 2008 - The Archbishop and the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, reflect on their visit to Auschwitz - Birkenau.
	'Sharia law' - What did the Archbishop actually say? Thurs 7th Feb 2008 - The Archbishop's remarks on civil and religious law provoked a strong reaction. Read here the Archbishop's lecture at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Arts

Famously a fan of the Simpsons, Father Ted and The West Wing, the Archbishop is also a poet and author.  His other cultural loves include Bach, Dostoevsky, and WH Auden.

	Poetry with the Archbishop at Argyle Primary School Weds 18th Jan 2012 - the Archbishop visited Argyle Primary School at the end of the school’s Poetry Week, and shared some favourite poems with the pupils.
	A History of the World in 100 Objects - BBC Radio 4 Thurs 21st Jan 2010 - The Archbishop spoke about the 'Swimming Reindeer', a sculpture carved from a mammoth's tusk 13,000 years ago.
	Icons and the Practice of Prayer Fri 16th Jan 2009 - In a lecture at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Archbishop explored aspects of how icons are practical aids to meditative prayer.
	Where Rowan Williams meets Dostoevsky - The Telegraph Sat 27th Sept 2008 - The Archbishop talks to A.N.Wilson about his book Dostoevsky: Language, Faith and Fiction
	The Archbishop on Bach - BBC Radio 3  Thurs 22nd Dec 2005 - BBC Radio 3's A Bach Christmas: 'it's very difficult to listen to Bach without a sense of being invited to change your life'.
	Archbishop's Desert Island Discs - BBC Radio 4 Sun 22nd Dec 2002 - For Desert Island Discs, the Archbishop chose his favourite 8 tracks, a book and one luxu

A statement from the Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop

[March 16, 2012] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has noted the following on the announcement that Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is stepping down.

“I am grateful for Rowan Williams’ service as Archbishop of Canterbury during an exceedingly challenging season. We can all give thanks for his erudition and persistence in seeking reconciliation across a rapidly changing Anglican Communion. His leadership of that reconciling work through Indaba and Ubuntu is bearing remarkable fruit, and I believe this will be his most important legacy. I give thanks that his spiritual and intellectual gifts will continue to bless the larger world, albeit from a different vantage point. May the coming months bring well-deserved peace to him and his family, and may we join in blessing his ministry. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’”

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

March 16, 2012

SCLM Releases partial Report on Blessing Same-Gender Relationships, including Trial Liturgy.

Note: The following information is presented in English and Spanish Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music releases report on blessing same-gender relationshipsHouse of Bishops, House of Deputies to discuss before General Convention 2012

[March 8, 2012] The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) of the Episcopal Church has forwarded to the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies excerpts from its report, “I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing”: Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships.

The report, nearly three years in the making, was prepared by the SCLM in compliance 2009-C056, "Liturgies for Blessings,"  a resolution  approved by the General Convention (GC) of the Episcopal Church in 2009 which directed the SCLM to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same-gender relationships through an open process.

Excerpts from the report are being made available for discussion at the upcoming House of Bishops (HOB) meeting in March. Members of the House of Deputies (HOD) will discuss the excerpts in the online forum on the website of Bonnie Anderson, HOD President.  The discussion on the Deputy Online Forum will take place March 16-23 and is available to the public for viewing.

In addition, excerpts are also being made available to the wider church on Anderson’s website.

“Since 2009, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has consulted widely throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion,” said the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and chair of the SCLM. “Providing our report to the church’s two legislative houses, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, is the next step in our open process. We look forward to their discussions and to presenting our report to General Convention in July.”

The excerpts released March 8 include a theological reflection on blessing same-gender relationships, a proposed liturgical rite, and the legislative resolutions that the SCLM will recommend to GC12 in Indianapolis July 5-12.

The Report

The report’s theological reflection notes that the SCLM has reviewed more than 30 years of General Convention’s deliberation on same-gender couples, especially resolution 2000-D039, approved in 2000, that identified characteristics the Church expects of couples living in marriage and other lifelong committed relationships: “fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.”

“Such covenantal relationships can reflect God‘s own gracious covenant with us in Christ, manifest the fruits of the Spirit in holiness of life, and model for the whole community the love of neighbor in the practice of forgiveness and reconciliation,”  the report states.

Resolutions Proposed to General Convention


This resolution also requests that GC12 extend the provision of “generous pastoral response,” first provided in 2009, particularly to bishops in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal. This provision has allowed bishops to use their discretion in allowing clergy to officiate at the marriages or civil unions of same-gender couples in states where those unions are legal.

The second resolution asks GC12 to create a “task force of not more than 12 people, consisting of theologians, liturgists, pastors, and educators, to identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, and canonical dimensions of marriage.” This task force, explained Meyers, would help the church study the issues raised by the marriage equality debate in civil society.

The full set of resources the SCLM has developed includes an introduction explaining the process that has been undertaken, a survey of legal and canonical matters, pastoral resources for preparing a couple for a liturgical blessing, a discussion guide for congregations, and an overview of GC legislation. These, along with the excerpts released March 7, will be published in April as part of the reports to GC12 from all official commissions, committees, agencies, and boards of The Episcopal Church, known as  The Blue Book,The first of the two resolutions submitted by the SCLM asks GC12 to commend the SCLM’s report for study by the church and to allow trial use of its liturgical rite beginning on December 2, the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the church’s liturgical year. The trial use period would include an open process for review and a report to GC in 2015.

Integrity Calls SCLM Work "Milestone" On Our Journey

Integrity commends the work of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) and welcomes the publication today of excerpts from the work on blessing of same-gender unions that  the SCLM has undertaken in the last three years. (The complete report will be published in April in the so-called Blue Book). The Commission was authorized by the 2009 General Convention to collect and develop theological resources and liturgies for blessing same-gender relationships and report to this summer’s General Convention. They undertook a project of mammoth proportions to collect the work that has been going on for the last fifty years in parishes, Integrity chapters and dioceses across the country. Today’s excerpts total eighty-four pages so it will take a while for us to digest their contents and evaluate the results of three years work from many of our brightest theologians, liturgists and church leaders.  The results are sure to provoke diverse opinions, but there is no question that this is a work of the whole church, not the machinations of a special interest group working in secret to impose its will upon the rest of us. The SCLM solicited, received and read material from across the country, involved deputies and bishops in conversation and study and even took the proposed liturgy to the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation. “This is a milestone on our journey to open the Episcopal Church to all people,” said Caroline Hall, President of Integrity. “the Commission’s work not only stands as an example of exceptional collaborative church-wide study but brings us an important step closer to full equality. Their remit was to look at blessings for same-gender couples and they have done this with aplomb, offering not just a rite of blessing but a theological statement which will challenge us all to reconsider the theology of committed relationships, including traditional heterosexual marriage.” For the Episcopal Church to undertake such an extensive project on blessings for same-gender unions indicates the seriousness with which the needs, pastoral concerns and rights of LGBT people are now taken within the church. Integrity extends its thanks and gratitude to the SCLM for their leadership and vision in making this possible. At General Convention, Integrity will wholeheartedly support the passage of the resolution proposed by the SCLM to authorize this rite for trial use.  We stand ready to claim the promise made to us 35 years ago that we are entitled to "full and equal claim of the love,  acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church (AO76). " We know there will be dioceses where, even if passed, the resolution may not and cannot be used.  Integrity will continue to work for the full inclusion of all the baptized. We will not rest until all really means ALL, until our relationships receive the full blessing of the Church equal in every way equal to heterosexual relationships, including the same rites available in all dioceses.

House of Bishops Meeting

The Episcopal Church House of Bishops will meet at the Camp Allen Conference & Retreat Center in Navasota, TX (Diocese of Texas) March 16-20. Meeting in retreat, the Bishops will continue with the House’s ongoing theme of "The Church for the 21st Century,” with a focus this time on The Gift of Episcope/El Don el Episopado. The schedule calls for prayer-filled sessions, and bishops will participate in daily Bible study, reflection and worship. Presentations and discussion will focus on mission of the Church, the episcopacy, and items related to the upcoming General Convention.

The Heresy of Compromise

PETER MANSEAU writes at Religious Dispatches: 

Like the bishop who suggested his church should adapt to meet the needs of the age, Jefferson did not believe religious ideas should be considered untouchable, or too fragile to approach. They should instead be discussed and debated, like any other ideas in a democracy, with respect to all, and with the awareness that no side—religious, non-religious, or indifferent—has a monopoly on the concerns of conscience. To truly support religious liberty, one must never forget that what one person calls heresy, another simply calls choice.