The group says that Anglicans are well versed in the idea of voluntarily pledging themselves to others ”” a concept that underlies the notion of a generous covenant ”” even if they have had little use for the word “covenant” in the past.
Replying to other concerns of the bishops, the group says that the document could be a unifying force ”” even, one day, a central text for the Communion. The Covenant could “change, amend and grow”: it is not designed to “constrain the languages, the cultures and the forms in which this Gospel is expressed”.
None of the “basic formal bonds” that frame the Communion’s common life, such as the baptismal covenant or eucharistic fellowship, or even the Lambeth Quadrilateral, contain the necessary element of “mutual responsibility” that the Covenant has, the group says.
Nevertheless, the Covenant would not override the autonomy of the provinces in ordering their life according to the demands of local mission. The group admits that there needs to be “more work” on the way the various instruments of unity relate to each other.
“The next version could ask Churches to commit itself to seven single-line statements:
• to have regard for the wider Communion family;
• to respect the autonomy of each other Church;
• to consult widely before acting in matters understood to be of essential concern;
• to seek a common mind;
• to remain in dialogue even if the discussion becomes difficult;
• to follow the agreed process for dispute resolution; and,
• to seek and maintain the highest degree of communion possible.”
Think of it as “ECUSA Lite.”
The bit that Irenaeus highlights struck me too. John Chane, Marc Andrus, Jon Bruno, etc., would have no problems with signing that and then doing whatever they please.
[blockquote] Far fewer bishops, however, were happy about the way the Primates’ Meeting served the life of the Communion: only 9.5 per cent said they were very content, 29 per cent were content, 33 per cent had some concerns, and [b]28.5 per cent had serious reservations.[/b][/blockquote]
Hmmm, and 25% of the bishops were Americans