ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution A159

Title:   Commitment to Interdependence in the Anglican Communion

Topic:   

Committee:   Special Legislative Committee

House of Initial Action:   Deputies

Proposer:   Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm the abiding commitment of the Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion, and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the descriptive Preamble of our church’s Constitution that states that the Episcopal Church is in “communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer;” and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention join with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the primates, and the Anglican Consultative Council in making a commitment to the vision of interdependent life in Christ, and commends Sections A and B of the Windsor Report as a means of deepening our understanding of that commitment; and be it further
Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, as an expression of this interdependence, make provision for persons from other Provinces of the Anglican Communion to serve with voice but not vote on each of the Standing Commissions of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

EXPLANATION

The Windsor Report is part of a process for maintaining the highest degree of communion possible. The first two resolve clauses of this resolution state this General Convention's desire for full life in the Anglican Communion and to maintain the distinctively Anglican bonds of communion. At their 2005 meeting, the primates requested "all Provinces to consider whether they are willing to be committed to the interdependent life of the Anglican Communion understood in the terms set out in" sections A and B of the Windsor Report (Dromantine Communiqué, paragraph 8). The third resolve addresses this question. The final resolve clause invites members of other Anglican churches into the deliberations of our standing commissions as an expression of our mutual responsibility and interdependence with sister and brother Christians from around the world.