The Anglican Consultative Council has affirmed the need for “relationships and trust to grow” when it comes to discerning the Anglican Communion’s structures and life together. Receiving the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals as resources for “continuing discernment”, the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) passed a resolution today calling for further dialogue across the Anglican Communion over the next three years.
Earlier this week, the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals were presented to ACC-19 by IASCUFO, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order. The ACC-19 meeting has discussed the proposals as part of its wide-ranging agenda in Belfast this week.
Welcoming the “vitality of discussion and respectful debate” about the proposals, ACC members reflected that walking together requires prayer, study of Scripture, dialogue and structures that “encourage relationships and trust to grow”.
The resolution affirms the present reality of the Anglican Communion – a Communion of autonomous churches identified by full communion with the See of Canterbury, which “now experiences the pain of some describing themselves as being in full communion with Canterbury whilst others do not, and seeks together to receive again God’s gift of full communion as one family.”
While rejoicing that all God’s people “are called to one hope”, the resolution acknowledges that “our present divisions in the Anglican Communion are partly caused by disagreements about the ‘one faith’” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
The ACC members requested some next steps, which include welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury’s intention to call a Primates’ Meeting to consider collaborative ways of working; and a period of further dialogue across the Communion to help rearticulate and develop Anglican identity, including the relationship between the Instruments of Communion.
The resolution notes widespread agreement at ACC-19 that communion with the See of Canterbury “remains vital to any rearticulation of Anglican identity.”
It calls for further work on ‘primacy and synodality’ in the Anglican Communion, learning from previous theological commissions, existing ecumenical agreements and work done in this area by other churches.
It also requests that IASCUFO consider how the Instruments can contribute to the 5 Marks of Mission.
The Anglican Consultative Council, one of the four ‘Instruments of Communion’, meets every three years and draws together bishops, clergy and laypersons from the Anglican Communion. Hosted by the Church of Ireland, 37 Member Churches and 4 Extra-Provincials were represented at ACC-19 in Belfast, as well as 30 representatives from Anglican Communion Commissions and Networks, and 12 ecumenical guests.
Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, Canon Maggie Swinson said:
“The Anglican Consultative Council, which represents member churches from across the Communion, is an important space for discernment and conversation. This week at ACC-19 we have been pleased to receive proposals and resolutions from a wide range of Anglican Commissions and Networks. I am pleased that the Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council have received IASCUFO’s Nairobi-Cairo Proposals and Supplement as resources for the continuing discernment of the Anglican Communion concerning its life together and the development of the Instruments of Communion.”
Vice-Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council and Primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, said:
“This week at ACC-19 has been a precious time of listening to one another and listening to God. Our times of prayer and pilgrimage have been important opportunities to consider how Christians are called to build bridges, foster peace and cultivate unity – among ourselves and in our world. In a Communion that often feels the pain of difference and division, IASCUFO’s work on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals has offered an opportunity to discuss ways to build bridges with one another – and our discussions have also reminded us of all that we hold dear about our beloved Communion. As we embark upon a process of continued discernment, let us pray for the wisdom of God’s Spirit and for the unity of his Church.”
President of the Anglican Consultative Council and Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, said:
“This week at ACC-19 has been a great encouragement for our shared life together as Anglicans. I’m grateful for the time spent in prayer, pilgrimage and conversation as sisters and brothers in Christ from around the world – as we consider what it means to be ‘Called To One Hope’. I give thanks to God for the extraordinary ministries of Anglicans around the world which we have affirmed and renewed this week. From evangelism and supporting young people, to peacebuilding and responding to the climate crisis, we leave ACC-19 renewed in our commitment to being the hands and feet of Christ in our world today.
“As we have considered the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals this week, we have acknowledged the pain caused by our differences and divisions. I also hear and feel deeply the pain of those who would describe themselves as not being in communion with the See of Canterbury. At ACC-19, we have reflected on the importance of building trust, and that the response to our differences must be spiritual and relational. I pray that the spirit in which we have met, and the fruits of our discussions, might be a blessing and grace to the whole Communion. I look forward ongoing our prayerful conversations and discernment across the Communion, and to continuing these discussions with my fellow Primates as we keep seeking the unity that was prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, said:
“We give thanks for the faithful work of IASCUFO since they were commissioned at ACC-18. The prayerful and considered theological work they have undertaken has been an important offering to the life of the Anglican Communion. I am grateful to the member churches and all those across the Anglican Communion who engaged with this process, offering their reflections, input, and prayers in the lead-up to ACC-19. I encourage every Member Church of the Anglican Communion to consider the work they have shared and to take part in the next phase of discernment and conversation, for the unity of Christ’s church.”
The Chair of IASCUFO, the Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, said:
“IASCUFO’s work on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals has been a journey of discovery and discernment. Over the last three years, our international group of theologians have sought to explore and consider some approaches to helping Anglicans walk together to the highest possible degree. Our work has been developed as an offer to the Anglican Communion, a way to strengthen and build our common life together. There will always be a wide spectrum of cultural and theological perspectives in our global Communion. Our prayer is that as we enter the next phase of enquiry, Anglican Member churches will do the deep work of prayer and shared theological discernment so that God’s church is strengthened for its mission in the world.”
Read the full text of the Anglican Consultative Council Resolution on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals.