The Primates have returned a vote of no confidence in the Episcopal Church. Lambeth Palace reports that a majority of primates have rejected the conclusions of the ACC\/Primates Joint Standing Committtee (JSC), and have told the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams the Episcopal Church has failed, in whole or in part, to honor the recommendations of the Windsor Report and the Primates\u2019 Dar es Salaam communiqu\u00c3\u00a9.<\/p>\n
The majority rejection of the JSC report comes as a blow to Dr. Williams\u2019 hopes to avert a showdown between the liberal and conservative wings of the Communion. It also marks an unprecedented repudiation of the competence and judgment of the central apparatus of the Anglican Consultative Council.<\/p>\n
Following the publication of the positive assessment by the JSC of the actions of the New Orleans meeting of the US House of Bishops, Dr. Williams wrote to the primates asking \u201cHow far is your Province able to accept the JSC Report assessment that the Episcopal Church\u2019s House of Bishops have responded positively to the requests of the Windsor Report and those made by the Primates in their Communiqu\u00c3\u00a9 at the end of their meeting in Dar es Salaam?\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Of the 38 primates, including the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, Lambeth Palace reported it had received 26 responses, and no reply from 12. Of the 26, 12 stated they could accept the JSC\u2019s findings, 12 stated they rejected the JSC\u2019s findings, while three offered a mixed verdict, and one said it was continuing to review the matter.<\/p>\n