A041 Create a Task Force on The Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion Relationships
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That the 81st General Convention, pursuant to Joint Rule VII, create a task force on The Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion relationships, to work in collaboration with the Presiding Bishop, and whose mandate includes, but is not limited to, (1) conducting a study of issues impairing relationships of communion between The Episcopal Church and other Provinces of the Anglican Communion, and the development of proposals for engaging constructively across differences; (2) proposing systematic ways for the Episcopal Church to respond to theological statements issued by the instruments of the Communion; (3) proposing a means of establishing clear guidance for representatives of The Episcopal Church to the triennial meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council; and (4) supporting the work of the Offices of Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church as it relates to relationships with our Anglican Communion partners; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force begin its work no later than January 1, 2025, with the task force concluding its work at the conclusion of the 82nd General Convention, unless its mandate is extended by the 82nd Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force report annually to the Executive Council’s Joint Standing Committee on Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church and a report with recommendations to the 82nd General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the membership of this task force be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies and include up to three Bishops appointed by the Presiding Bishop; up to three Clergy and up to three Lay Persons appointed by the President of the House of Deputies; up to two members of the Standing Commission on World Mission (SCWM) appointed by the SCWM; up to two members of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (SCEIR), appointed by the SCEIR; and up to four representatives with expertise in the history and polity of the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop appoint a member of staff from the Presiding Bishop’s Office to serve as consultant to the task force; and be it further
Resolved, That $30,000 be budgeted for the implementation of this resolution.
Explanation
In the short time since the 80th General Convention concluded, significant developments have made clear the possibility of important changes in the relationships between Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Statements by leaders of some Anglican provinces that they no longer regard themselves as in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury—a sine qua non of the bonds of Communion relationships—is one example.
The Episcopal Church should be a constructive voice in the conversations shaping the future of the Anglican Communion. Locating the responsibility for these issues within an Interim Body of the General Convention would be a clear signal to partner churches in the Communion of the seriousness with which our church will offer its voice in those conversations.
Joint resolution between the Standing Commission on World Mission and the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations