Day 2 of 4: Saturday 24 June, 2010
In brief
Saturday's agenda included reports from Chair Bp James Tengatenga and Secretary General Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon; the UN Anglican representatives' reports; reports on finance and administration; business matters; the ACC, the Primates' Meeting and the Standing Committee; and the Lambeth Conference Company.
A proposal from Dato' Stanley Isaacs that The Episcopal Church be separated from the Communion led to a discussion in which Committee members acknowledged the anxieties felt in parts of the Communion about sexuality issues. Nevertheless, the overwhelming opinion was that separation would inhibit dialogue on this and other issues among Communion Provinces, dioceses and individuals and would therefore be unhelpful. The proposal was not passed, and the group agreed to defer further discussion until progress on Continuing Indaba project had been considered.
Chair report
Bp James spoke briefly about his recent sabbatical in the USA that had allowed him to attend several gatherings including a meeting of Diocese of Dallas at which the Covenant was discussed. He also expressed his excitement about certain Anglican Communion initiatives including the proposed Anglican Relief, Development and Advocacy Alliance.
Secretary General's report
Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon's report highlighted three Communion initiatives: the Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative, the Anglican Relief, Development and Advocacy Alliance; and the Healthcare Network's pilot micro health insurance project in Tanzania. He also celebrated the ecumenical work of the Communion and the annual Canterbury Bishops and Seminarians courses. Canon Kearon also commented on his time at the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod and noted the way six sessions had been given over to Indaba-style conversations to consider responses to same-sex issues. The resulting document was, he said, well received and welcomed by all perspectives as representing accurately the mind of the Church at this time.
He concluded by noting that the credibility of the Primates' Meeting and the ACC was being openly questioned by some and this criticism was increasingly focused on the Standing Committee itself. Chair Bp James Tengatenga stressed it was important for everyone to remember that ACC members were elected and sent by their own Provinces and Synods and represented a very wide spectrum of views across the world. Vice Chair Canon Elizabeth Paver said the Committee needed to respond to criticisms "positively and robustly", welcomed the appointment of the ACO's new Director for Communications and said that improved communication and openness would promote trust and better understanding of the work of the Instruments.
Archbishop Rowan Williams questioned whether the ACC's committee structure was appropriate for this new century. He said questions needed asking about whether revised Instrument structures were required to better foster the relationship-building parts of the Communion's life, "so when it comes to looking at the complex questions of the Communion we have a better foundation upon which to build."
Later in the meeting, the Committee asked a small group of Standing Committee members to prepare a proposal for ACC-15 on undertaking a strategic review and planning process relating to ACC membership and meetings and Standing Committee structure and operation.
Report from Anglican representatives at UN
Hellen Wangusa, the Communion's and Archbishop of Canterbury's representative at the UN in New York, explained to the Committee the remit, aims, challenges and successes of Communion staff in New York and Geneva. She said that work in both centres was significantly contributing to UN business. Also, Anglicans from around the world had attended UN meetings to share their experience and knowledge of local issues and had themselves benefitted from learning more about UN structures. She concluded by saying she believed that "our [the Anglican Communion's] witness is becoming visible at the UN."
Finance and Administration
ACC consultant Robert Fordham and ACO Director for Finance and Administration Andrew Franklin introduced the Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2009. The Committee subsequently agreed to adopt the report.
Chair of the Inter-Anglican Finance and Administration Committee Canon Elizabeth Paver presented that committee's report to the Standing Committee. The organisation's auditors were re-appointed as required by English law.
New Constitution
Canon John Rees guided the Standing Committee through the history and content of the new Constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council.
Anglican Communion Fund
Mr John Stuart (ACC), Bp Tengatenga (ACC) and Canon Elizabeth Paver (Standing Committee) were all appointed trustees to the Anglican Communion Fund. Regarding the appointment of two trustees from the Primates' Standing Committee, the members present took note of the request, agreed to take it forward and advise the Secretary General of its decision.
ACC-15
Canon Kearon then reported that during his visit to New Zealand earlier this year he had met with an informal group about the planning of ACC-15. Bishop John Paterson has been selected to Chair an official planning group and the venue has been selected as Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. The group also identified the strong mission theme of ACC-14 as something they would like to continue.
Primates on the Standing Committee
After extensive discussion on the Primates' Meeting 2009 request to increase its Standing Committee membership from five to eight, the Standing Committee:
The Lambeth Conference Company
The Secretary General, as current Chair of the Lambeth Conference Company presented his report to the Committee. The Committee welcomed the nomination of the Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University Professor Michael Wright CBE as the new Chair of the LCC.