Resolutions

Resolutions of ACC-10

Welcome to new Provinces - Province of Mexico
Welcome to new Provinces - Province of South-East Asia
Cessation of membership of the CCEA
Anglican contribution to the development of Bethlehem
On Korea
Proposal to increase the size of the ACC Standing Committee
Network Guidelines
Provisions of the Constitution - Amendments (Handbook)
Youth co-opted members
Climate Changes
Article 3 (a) of the Constitution Amendment to final sentence
Creation of new Provinces
Anglican Women's Network
Article 3(a) of the Constitution Amendment to second sentence
On Rwanda
Agros Report: Replacement of the Ecumenical Advisory Group by an Inter-Anglican Standing Commission
Publication of the Agros Report as a companion
On Tibet
On Cuba
Timber Harvesting in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
Anglican Peace and Justice Network resolutions
MISSIO: Promoting the spirit of jubilee for the year 2000
MISSIO: Mission given top priority
MISSIO: Report on the Mid-Point Review of the Decade of Evangelism (G-CODE 2000)
Jerusalem Endorsement of President Bishop's Statement
ACC: Equal Representation
ACC: Contributions from Provinces
Lambeth Conference Feasibility Study for beyond 1998
Anglican Refugee Network
Liturgy
Anglican Congress
Minutes of ACC meetings
Anglican Investment Agency
Resolutions of thanks
Prayers and Greetings

Resolution 1: Welcome to new Provinces - Province of Mexico

Resolved that the Primates having assented, this ACC-10 meeting in Panama welcomes to membership the Province of Mexico.

Resolution 2: Welcome to new Provinces - Province of South-East Asia

Resolved that the Primates having assented, this ACC-10 meeting in Panama welcomes to membership the Province of South-East Asia.

Resolution 3: Cessation of membership of the CCEA

Resolved that in consequence of the Province of South-East Asia having been admitted to membership of the ACC, at this, the 10th meeting of this Council, membership of the Council of Churches of East Asia shall, with effect from the date of this meeting, lapse.

Resolution 4: Anglican contribution to the development of Bethlehem

Resolved that this Anglican Consultative Council requests the Secretary General to respond positively to the request to the Anglican Communion from the people of the municipality of Bethlehem, to assist in a millennium project to establish a town planning design for the city. This project will first provide a feasibility study, for consideration by the Standing Committees of ACC and the Primates and the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and the Middle East, concerning the renovation of Manger Square. Such a study would secure information regarding personnel and finance, as well as possible ecumenical involvement, to complete such a programme to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium for world Christianity. A support group, made up of members from around the Communion, should be established to assist in this development task. To ensure ownership of the project by the wider Church, the Secretary General is asked to keep the Provinces informed and to invite responses and indications of commitment.

Resolution 5: On Korea

Resolved that this Council expresses its concern for the Churches and people of North and South Korea in their efforts to achieve the re-unification of their motherland on the basis of mutual acceptance and respect.

Resolution 6: Proposal to increase the size of the ACC Standing Committee

Resolved that in view of:

The increasing size of the ACC;
The recent practice of joint meetings of the ACC Standing Committee and the Primates' Standing Committee; and
The suggestion contained in paragraph 6.26 of the (draft) Virginia Report this Council requests the ACC Standing Committee to consider proposing an increase in the size of the Standing Committee to allow an appropriate balance of bishops, clergy and laity, with consideration to age and gender, on the Standing Committee.

Resolution 7: Network Guidelines

That the following guidelines for Networks be substituted for the guidelines for Networks adopted by the ACC in 1987, namely:

Guidelines for Networks

The Anglican Consultative Council may recognise Networks addressing particular themes and concerns throughout the Anglican Communion on application, in accordance with the following guidelines. The Networks shall be identified in the published edition of the minutes of the meeting of the Council.

1. The subject matter of the Network shall be consistent with and supportive of the initiatives of the Provinces and member Churches of the Communion.
2. The Network shall identify an acceptable process of accountability to the Anglican Consultative Council.
3. Through the Secretary General the Network may propose subjects for consideration by the Anglican Consultative Council and shall be available whenever possible to consult on subjects on which its members hold expertise.
4. The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council shall call meetings of representatives of the Networks for mutual consultation from time to time and may on occasion invite representatives of the Networks to meet with the Joint Standing Committees.
1. Networks are encouraged to seek funding for their budgets from any appropriate source, in consultation with the Secretary General.
2. Networks receiving funds from the budget of the Anglican Consultative Council shall account for their use, as required by the Standing Committee of the Council.
3. Networks seeking all or part of their budget by general appeals to the Provinces and member Churches of the Anglican Communion should obtain permission of the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council.

Resolution 8: Provisions of the Constitution - Amendments (Handbook)

Resolved that the provisions of the Constitution as contained in a handbook entitled "The Anglican Communion," shall be referred for detailed analysis and consideration, with a view to such amendment and revision as may be deemed necessary for the removal of doubt, to a Committee on the Constitution (appointed by the Secretary General) which shall, as soon as practicable, report with recommendations to the Standing Committee.

Resolution 9: Youth co-opted members

Resolved that this Council requests the Standing Committee

to review the principle and purpose of having any co-opted members and to report to ACC-11;
on the basis that some members be co-opted, to prepare for ACC-11 a constitutional change to permit co-options of up to 10% of the elected membership and in making appointments the Standing Committee take into account factors such as age, gender, geography and special skills and experience.

Resolution 10: Climate Changes

Resolved that at its tenth meeting, held in Panama in October 1996, the ACC expresses its support for the International Petition initiated by the WCC earlier in 1996 and which will be submitted to governments of industrialised countries concerning climate changes and encourages member Churches in the industrialised world to circulate the petition through their networks.

Resolution 11: Article 3 (a) of the Constitution Amendment to final sentence

Resolved

That, subject to the necessary approvals, in Article 3(a) of the Constitution for the final sentence there shall be substituted "Primates for the purposes of this Article shall mean the principal Archbishop, Bishop or Primate of each of the bodies listed under paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of the Schedule of Membership;" and
Requests the Secretary General to refer this amendment to the Provinces appearing on the schedule for ratification under Article 10.

Resolution 12: Creation of new Provinces

Resolved that this Council

affirms its commitment to assisting in the creation of new Provinces, where conditions indicate that such a development is appropriate in the Anglican Communion;
urges those involved in promoting the creation of new Provinces to consult the Council through its Secretary General and other officers from the earliest stages in their discussions;
affirms the guidelines set out in previous Council resolutions;
adopts the additional guidelines as set out in the appended Schedule;
requests the Secretary General to publish as a separate document a summary of the Council's views for circulation to Primates, Provincial Secretaries and all others concerned with promoting the creation of a new Province; and
requests the Secretary General to keep these matters under review and to report to the next meeting.

Schedule (Additional Guidelines)

For the Primate, or any other Council or body having metropolitical authority for the relevant dioceses, to make contact with the ACC as soon as a proposal for formation of a new Province is under serious consideration.
This referral might (and ideally would normally) be accompanied by an invitation to the ACC for a visit by the Secretary General, or by someone nominated by the Secretary General, to the dioceses or region, if possible to coincide with some other activity of the Anglican Communion requiring the Secretary General's presence in the area. The purpose of the visit would be to discuss the application of the ACC's guidelines to the specific situation in the local area.
Once initial consultation had taken place, and it was agreed in principle that it would be expedient to form a new Province in the region, the promoters would appoint a drafting committee, to consider the outline draft constitution set out by the ACC. They would address any issues arising from it that had not yet been considered by the promoters, and set up clear lines of communication and a timetable for consultation with the dioceses concerned, with their metropolitical authority, and with the ACC.
The drafting process in itself is likely to take some considerable time, but the ACC can provide significant assistance in advising both on the content of constitutions (by comparison with those used elsewhere in the Communion), and on the arrangements that may need to be made for that stage of the discussion.
On receipt of the first (and any subsequent) draft constitution by the ACC, the Secretary General may, in consultation with the Standing Committee as appropriate, appoint a committee, or call upon individual consultants, to make observations on its behalf for further consideration by the promoters and their advisors.
Having agreed on the form of the new constitution, the proposers are asked to submit their application for revision of the scheduled list to the ACC not less than 15 months ahead of the next meeting of the full Council.
The Secretary General in accordance with Article 3(a) will then consult with the Primates, either at their next scheduled meeting or individually, to seek the two-thirds majority approval required by its constitution.
The proposal of revision of the schedule (to add the new Province to the scheduled list) will be put on the agenda for approval at the next full meeting, subject to any outstanding consents of Primates.
The Secretary General will be charged with informing the Archbishop of Canterbury at every stage as to the ACC's view on the eligibility of the applicant body for recognition as an autonomous Province of the Anglican Communion.

Resolution 13: Anglican Women's Network

Resolved that this Council supports the action of the Secretary General in calling together representatives of women's organisations throughout the Communion to

discover ways in which stronger links among women may grow; and
develop responses to the challenges coming from the Fourth Conference on Women in Beijing and requests that a report of the Beijing event be sent to the Joint Standing Committees of the Primates and the ACC for their 1997 Meeting.

Resolution 14: Article 3(a) of the Constitution Amendment to second sentence

Defeated

Resolution 15: On Rwanda

Resolved that trusting in God's reconciling power and giving thanks for repentance and spiritual renewal within the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, this Council:

urges the Anglican Communion to continue its prayer for the people, Government and Church in Rwanda;
in the quest for peace, we urge the Episcopal Church of Rwanda never to abandon its call to be God's instrument of justice and reconciliation, without which no peace in Rwanda can be lasting;
in the light of steps taken both by the Provincial Synod of EER, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, to persuade the bishops in exile to return to their dioceses, or to resign, and given that these bishops have not responded to these calls, we recognise that those sees are now vacant, and request the authorities in those dioceses to communicate this to their respective bishops, and to record this action in their records [In this respect, we refer to the Dioceses of Cyangugu, Kibungo, Shyira and Shyogwe.];
we urge the Church leadership, in consequence, in consultation as necessary with the secular authorities, to set in motion legal procedures to elect bishops to those four vacant sees; and as soon as possible after these elections and consecrations, to call a Provincial Synod meeting in order to finalise a Provincial Constitution;
not only do we applaud and support the initiatives which have been taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Secretary General, and the Archbishop's special envoy to Rwanda, the Right Reverend David Birney, but we offer our continued support and encouragement to them to take such future initiatives as they think necessary, consulting where possible the Primates of the Communion, the ACC Standing Committee, and other representatives of the Communion whose specialist knowledge of the situation may aid the process.

Resolution 16: Agros Report: Replacement of the Ecumenical Advisory Group by an Inter-Anglican Standing Commission

Resolved that this ACC endorses the proposal contained in the Agros Report that the Ecumenical Advisory Group be replaced by an Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations following the Lambeth Conference, whose tasks would be:

to monitor and enable Anglican participation in multilateral and bilateral dialogues;
to monitor and encourage the process of reception, response and decision;
to ensure theological consistency in dialogues and conversations by reviewing local, regional and provincial proposals with ecumenical partners and when an agreement affects the life of the Communion as a whole, to propose, after consultation with the ACC and the Primates' Meeting, that the matter be brought to the Lambeth Conference before the Province votes to enter the new relationship;
to address issues of terminology; and
to facilitate the circulation of documents and ecumenical resources throughout the Communion.

Resolution 17: Publication of the Agros Report as a companion

Resolved that this Council:

expresses its thanks to the Ecumenical Advisory Group who drafted the Agros Report and looks forward to its completion at the St Augustine's Seminar in April 1997, in preparation for the Lambeth Conference 1998; and
requests that the Report be published in study form as a companion booklet to the Report of ACC-10.

Resolution 18: On Tibet

Withdrawn.

Resolution 19: On Cuba

Resolved that whereas it is the duty of the Christian Church to proclaim the liberating Good News as enunciated in Holy Scripture, and that whereas the suffering and deprivation of human beings anywhere in the world demeans those who are created in the image of God:

this 10th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, convened in Panama City, Panama, hereby calls upon the Government of the United States to lift its embargo against Cuba; and
calls upon its observer at the United Nations to convey our concern to that gathered body of nations; and
recommends that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, both Houses of Congress, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the President of the House of Deputies of the General Convention, and the Bishop, clergy and people of the Episcopal Church in Cuba.

Resolution 20: Timber Harvesting in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Withdrawn.

Resolution 21: Anglican Peace and Justice Network resolutions

Resolved that this ACC

encourages all Anglicans to work for strict controls and safeguards on personal firearms and to set an example by their own renunciation of firearms except when needed for a legitimate livelihood;
encourages all Anglicans to engage in the "Turning Swords into Ploughshares" programme;
challenges all Governments not to engage in the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale or purchase of landmines; and
encourages all people of goodwill to engage in supporting financially programmes to rid countries of landmines.

Resolution 22: MISSIO: Promoting the spirit of jubilee for the year 2000

Resolved that the ACC endorses the request of MISSIO that the Anglican Communion and its member Churches promote the spirit of the jubilee for the year 2000 by:

co-operating with other churches, agencies and governments in support of international movements for the cancellation of international debt of developing countries by the year 2000; and
seeking, under the leadership of their bishops, concrete actions in the local church and in their local context which reflect the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation implicit in the Biblical jubilee motif.

Further, this meeting of the ACC appeals to the IMF, and the World Bank, and other such institutions, to take steps to cancel the debts of the third world countries by the year 2000.

Resolution 23: MISSIO: Mission given top priority

Resolved that the ACC endorses the challenge of MISSIO that the Churches of the Communion move beyond maintenance thinking by giving mission the top priority it deserves in their budgets.

Resolution 24: MISSIO: Report on the Mid-Point Review of the Decade of Evangelism (G-CODE 2000)

Resolved that this ACC

welcomes the MISSIO Report on the Mid-Point Review of the Decade of Evangelism (G-CODE 2000), held in Kanuga in September 1995;
recommends the circulation of that decade report throughout the Communion, in translation where necessary; and
urges Provinces to take forward the 10 'Emerging Issues and Future Directions' which were identified as priorities for the Communion as a result of the Decade Review.

Resolution 25: Jerusalem Endorsement of President Bishop's Statement

Resolved that this meeting of ACC, ACC-10, having received, through the President Bishop of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Statement of all the Heads of Christian Churches in Jerusalem dated November 14,1994, on the significance of Jerusalem for Christians, endorses this statement and commends it to the Provinces of the Anglican Communion and to the Lambeth Conference.

Resolution 26: ACC: Equal Representation

Withdrawn and tabled to Standing Committee

Resolution 27: ACC: Contributions from Provinces

Resolved that this ACC applauds the many Provinces which continue to contribute, fully and sacrificially, to the core activities and budget of the Anglican Communion Office; and calls upon all Provinces to make their full contribution to the Anglican Communion rather than by their actions restrict the constructive, Communion-wide contribution of the Anglican Communion Office in relation to priorities determined by its worldwide membership.

Resolution 28: Lambeth Conference Feasibility Study for beyond 1998

Resolved that this ACC asks the Standing Committees of ACC and the Primates to set up a feasibility study to look at the questions which have been raised in connection with the Lambeth Conferences beyond 1998, so that the Lambeth bishops may have a working paper on which to base their considerations in Lambeth 1998 regarding future meetings.

Resolution 29: Anglican Refugee Network

Resolved that this meeting of ACC, recognising that 1997 is to be observed as 'The Year of Uprooted Peoples':

affirms the importance of the work of the Anglican Refugee network; and
asks the ACC Standing Committee to take steps to ensure the continuance of this work, whether as a distinct Network, or in association with another Network, or through our UN Observer, or by other means.

Resolution 30: Liturgy

Resolved that this Anglican Consultative Council

receives the Principles and Recommendations on the renewal of the Eucharist of the Fifth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, 1995, and commends them to the Provinces for study, together with the statements of the working groups of the Consultation;
urges the Primates to commend these documents for study to appropriate committees, colleges, and networks which will guarantee their wide dissemination among all who are concerned with the renewal of liturgical practice and the revision of the liturgical texts; and
asks the Provincial offices to report on the reception of these documents to the Coordinator for Liturgy by the end of 1997.

Resolution 31: Anglican Congress

Resolved that this ACC desires to have an International Anglican gathering after the 1998 Lambeth Conference (perhaps in 2001) and asks the Standing Committees of ACC and the Primates:

to set up a group to conduct a feasibility study;
gives authority to the Standing Committees to decide to proceed with such a gathering if the feasibility study suggests this is wise;
to write to ACC members to inform them of progress in this matter.

Resolution 32: Minutes of ACC meetings

Resolved that at the Meeting of ACC-11 and at all meetings of ACC thereafter full written minutes of all proceedings be taken.

Resolution 33: Anglican Investment Agency

Resolved that this Council, gratefully acknowledging the enormous amount of time and effort which has been given to the proposal to form an Anglican Investment Agency, by a small group of lay people led by Mrs Marion Dawson Carr:

supports this initiative to raise money for the special initiatives of the international ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion, as set out in the introductory document;
accepts the invitation to nominate three of its members to the Disbursement Trust and asks the Standing Committee to implement this; and
requests a regular report of the activities of the Agency to be made available to its full Council meeting, and to meetings of the Joint Standing Committees of the ACC and the Primates.

Resolution 34: Resolutions of thanks

Resolved that the 10th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council gives thanks to God for the ministry of so many whose commitment and service have enabled the Council to do the work of the Church and the will of God:
for our President, Archbishop George Carey, whose personal commitment, clear proclamation and pastoral compassion inspire us;
for our Chairman, Canon Colin Craston, whose wisdom and experience have been a grace and a strength to us;
for our Vice-Chairman, Bishop Simon Chiwanga, with assurance of our prayers and support as he moves to further service in our midst;
for our Secretary General, Canon John Peterson, whose enthusiasm excites us, whose initiative strengthens us and whose energy empowers us;
for the Design Group, led by Dr Diane Maybee, who enabled us to work with diligence and responsibility for all that we faced;
for the Nominations Committee, led by Bishop Mark Dyer, who steered us through complex procedures and helped us discern our future leaders;
for the Resolutions Committee, led by Lady Brenda Shiel, who helped us express our mind and will clearly;
for the Bible studies, prepared by Bishop Dinis Sengulane, which drew us closer to our Lord and to each other;
for the worship team, led by the Chaplain, Bishop Roger Herft, who gathered our hearts and spirits in common prayer and fellowship;
for the Communications team, led by Canon Jim Rosenthal, who have enabled us to speak to the world those words we share with each other;
for our partners, Roger Nostbakken from the Lutheran World Federation and Fr George Tavard from the Roman Catholic Church, whose presence and encouragement have raised our eyes to the ecumenical horizon;
for the translators, led by the Revd Diana Luz Parada, who opened the meeting to Spanish and French speakers;
for the members of the office staff, Mrs Christine Codner, Miss Clare Dell, Miss Fiona Millican and Mrs Rosemary Palmer, whose work behind the scenes have given us the tools to do our work;
for Senor Miguel Franco and the staff of the Hotel Riande Continental Ciudad, who have laboured mightily to cope with our diverse needs and wants;
for the local committees on arrangements and the countless volunteers, whose availability and service have supported us at every step;
for the Bishop of Panama and Mrs Connie Hayes, the Dean and people of St Luke's Cathedral and Senor Biron Daniels and the staff of the diocesan office, who have opened their hearts and their arms to offer us unforgettable hospitality and witness;
for all who have participated in our common search to know the will of God and to do it.

Resolution 35: Prayers and Greetings

Resolved that this 10th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council sends its greetings and assurances of prayer to the following:
the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, the Most Revd Edmond Lee Browning;
and the President of Province IX, the Right Reverend Neptali Larrea, in whose Province we have met;
the Eglise Episcopale du Burundi, and their member of this Council, the Reverend Bernard Ntahoturi, with regret that present troubles make it impossible for them to be represented here and with assurance of our continuing prayers and support;
the Bishop of Rome, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, with prayers for his continued restoration to health and in anticipation of his meeting with our President and Secretary General;
the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomeos I, with prayers for the patriarchate in Istanbul;
the Moderator of the World Council of Churches, His Holiness Aram I, and the Secretary General, Dr Konrad Raiser, with thanks for their work on behalf of all of us who pray for growth among Christians in faith and order, in life and work;
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and its President, Cardinal Cassidy;
and the Lutheran World Federation and its President, Dr Ishmael Noko, for enabling ecumenical partners to be with us;
other church leaders closely associated with the Anglican Communion and its work:
The Most Reverend Antoniusjan Glazemaker, Archbishop of Utrecht, and the Old Catholic Union of Utrecht
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church
The Reverend Dr Milan Opocensky, General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Dr Joe Hale, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council
His Holiness Moran Basileos Mar Thoma Mathew II
His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Ivas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Syrian Orthodox Church
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Panama, Monsenor Dimas Cedeno, and other ecumenical Church leaders in Panama
The President of Panama, SE Ernesto Perez Balladares
The Mayor of Panama City, Senora Mayin Correa
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Panama and Mrs Sinton.