Anglican Communion News Service

Within the work that is already taking place, and aware of the work of existing Commissions and networks, we identify the following new tasks:

Poverty/Trade

1. A working party to be formed to consider
   • advocacy goals, objectives and strategies related to the issue of intellectual property rights.
   • concerted and sustained action by existing networks and coalitions, such as the Peace and Justice Network of the Communion, and the World Faiths Development Dialogue, on issues of global debt, poverty and trade, in the face of possible loss of momentum and fragmentation following the Jubilee 2000 campaign.
   • ways to enable the Churches of the Communion to respond to the challenge contained in of the Lambeth Conference resolution I.15 to fund international development programmes, recognised by provinces, at a level of at least 0.7% of annual total diocesan income.
   • ways to provide presence and voice for the poor and their concerns through protest.

HIV/AIDS

1. That issue of HIV/AIDS is one which requires co-ordinated intensive effort by Churches and agencies, Anglican and Ecumenical, in partnership with states and NGOs. The Churches of the Communion are encouraged to co-ordinate a Communion strategy, with partners in the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and others, as appropriate. The priorities identified are:
   • Advocacy, especially on cheaper drugs
   • Capacity building for provinces and dioceses
   • Resource mobilisation
2. The Churches of the Anglican Communion are encouraged to observe World AIDS Day (1 December) as a day of prayer, fasting and resource sharing for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Theological Education

1. A special working party of 5 experts will be convened to analyse issues in theological education around the Communion and give advice to the Primates, especially on:
   • the priorities of theological education
   • the challenges of preparing leadership in areas where the church is growing rapidly.
   • the formation in holiness, truth, wisdom, spirituality, as well as acquiring knowledge.
   • the various models/components of theological education: academic, residential, distance, experiential, cross-cultural, community based
   • the rapidly growing demand on the part of the laity for in-depth understanding of the Christian Faith.
   • the provision of adequate resources for catechesis and discipling of new converts.
2. Ways will be explored to facilitate the distribution of theological education resources over the internet.
3. Information on resources and programmes available at present for the training of bishops, including the programmes being developed by the St Augustine’s Trust, will be collated and presented to the Primates.
4. The Mission Commission is encouraged to give attention to extended programmes for training new bishops.
5. A session on “elements that should be contained in training courses for bishops” to be designed for the next Primates’ Meeting.

Regional Issues (New Tasks)

1. Monitor the situation in the Congo and encourage sustained prayer and support throughout the Communion for the Church in that country.
2. Intensify solidarity with the Church in Iran and explore possibilities for dialogue, perhaps ecumenically, with the Iranian religious authorities.
3. At the next Primates’ Meeting, time will be devoted to hearing updates from the Provinces.

Role of the Primates and the Primates' Meeting

1. A session will be prepared for a discussion at the next Primates Meeting in 2002 on the role of the Primates and the Primates’ Meeting. The package of resources for this discussion will include:
   • To Mend the Net on a possible enhanced role for the Primates.
   • a brief paper on the relation of the Primates to the other Instruments of the Communion: ACC and Lambeth Conference
   • a brief paper surveying the relation of the Primates to their provinces: to what extent is the authority of the provinces required in order to take a stand.
   • any implications of the Hurd Commission report regarding the Anglican Communion role of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Unity of the Communion

1. The Primates request the IATDC in its study to include:
   • attention to the issue of the co-existence of agreement and disagreement within a Communion of Churches.
   • a consideration of the process of coming to a common theological mind and shared proclamation in a culturally diverse communion.
2. To Mend the Net will be referred to the IATDC as a contribution to the discussion on the exercise of authority in the communion.
3. A conference of legal advisors of the Provinces will be held to give follow up to Professor Norman Doe’s paper, looking at the parameters of an identifiable Anglican common law and how an understanding of such common law can enhance our global communion. Cross-linking to the relevant ongoing ecclesiological studies under way by IASCER is desirable.

Information/Commissions/Networks

1. Key contact information for Commissions, working parties and networks of the Communion will be posted on the Anglican Communion Web Site.
2. Information on the mandate and work of the "Network of Contextual Theologians" to be presented to the next Primates’ Meeting.