Anglican Communion Covenant
Find out more and have your say
In recent years Anglican provinces – including the Church in Wales – have been consulted about the form of an Anglican Communion Covenant. A final version of the Covenant document has now been produced, and we have been asked to consider whether or not the Church in Wales would want to sign up to the Covenant as defined in this statement.
This decision will be made by the Governing Body. But before we reach that point, and to enable an informed decision to be made, the Bishops are concerned that members of the Church in Wales more widely should be given every opportunity to find out more about the Covenant and comment on/ask questions about the proposal. Please take some time to read the Covenant document, and use the commentary provided by the Church in Wales Doctrinal Commission to provide context and further explanation. We would also appreciate your views and questions on the proposal. Simply complete the form below, and click "Send" to add your comment to this page.
An initial explanatory discussion on the Anglican Communion Covenant will take place at the Governing Body meeting due to be held in Swansea from 27-28 April. Contributions to that discussion and comments left on this messageboard will help inform the way in which the Church in Wales moves forward in considering whether or not to adopt the Covenant.
Click here to download the Covenant Document from the Anglican Communion Website.
Click here to download the commentary by the Doctrinal Commission.
Send your opinion.
Comments.
Hilary Evans - 02/04/2011
We are called to
firstly be at one as God and Christ are one
secondly we are told by Christ that we should love as he loved
thirdly we are told not to judge others lest we are judged.
a covenant that honours God is one that will be inclusive, unifying and unconditional in its regard.
the Anglican Communion covenant does seem a good starting point and I pray that it leads to a greater honouring of God and a greater Christian unity.
15 people like this comment.
W D Jones - 04/04/2011
There is much that is helpfully informative in the Briefing, but those who have carefully studied the Covenant proposals will be disappointed by the Briefing's inadequate attention to the many substantial and scholarly criticisms of the Covenant by Anglicans in many parts of the Communion. It is to be hoped that in the continuing discussions in the Church in Wales on the aim, nature and possible consequences of the Covenant, close attention will be given to such criticisms.16 people like this comment.
Anonymous - 06/04/2011
A divisive document that will institutionalise a three way schism in the Anglican Communion17 people like this comment.
Una Kroll - 07/04/2011
I am a priest in the Church of Wales. Ordained in 1997. I do not want to see the Covenant come into force as it is not Anglican to punish peopple for holding to their conscience. The Instruments of Communion already in existence offer us all a chance of freely accepting Communion with those who dissent from our own preferential opinions and is a profound expression of Anglicanism. Una Krol.15 people like this comment.
Benjamin Guyer - 07/04/2011
I am a young American who strongly supports the Covenant. I am also principal editor of Pro Communione: Theological Essays on the Anglican Covenant (Wipf & Stock/Pickwick, forthcoming), a collection of essays by younger Anglicans from across the Anglo-American world which is due to be published next year. Notably, even as we all have questions about the Covenant we also fundamentally support it.
The current generation of leadership must ask itself if it wishes to be the generation that dismantled the Anglican Communion. No generation has the right to destroy that which was once entrusted to it. I would like to implore all people, particularly those who are in decision-making positions within the Communion, to ask themselves what they wish to pass on to the next generation. My generation is the direct inheritor of every decision that has been and is being made within the Anglican Communion, on both provincial and pan-provincial levels. An ideological flight to utopian complacency is wholly at odds with what the present moment needs: a clear-sighted realism which accounts for this generation's legacy.
It is unfair to expect the children of the the 'Me' Generation/Baby Boomers to follow in their parents' footsteps. It is unfair to ask us to share their values or their pop song laden politics. No generation lives to write its own history - that is the task (or the curse) of its progeny. Decisions about the Anglican Covenant ought to be made with this mind, for the histories that are written will bear full witness to the decisions that are made on this matter in the coming years.46 people like this comment.
Peter and Moya - 12/04/2011
Had the Anglican church not defected from the Universal church there would be no need for a covenant but now what is offered is an attempt to heal Christ's broken body, the church, with sticking plaster.
Para 1.1.6 refers to the 'historic episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the unity of his Church' but what we have is a 'pick-and-mix' ministry which bears no relation to 'the central role of bishops as guardians and teachers of faith as leaders in mission, and as a visible sign of unity, representing the universal Church to ...the local Church. (3.1.3)
Para 2.1.5 affirms 'the ecumenical vocation of Anglicanism to the full visible unity of the Church in accordance with Christ's prayer that 'all may be one' but the unilateral actions of the Anglican communion have put us at odds with the wider church of East and West contrary to Christ's prayer and to the 'bonds of affection and the love of Christ [which] compel us always to uphold the highest degree of communion possible.' (3.2.7)
How can the Church in Wales (and in England) hope for 'reconciliation and shared mission with the Church throughout the world' if she cannot first reconcile herself to those who in conscience simply adhere to the historic faith of the Universal church?15 people like this comment.
Anonymous - 08/05/2011
What is the point of the convenant. Why bother? Obviously, there is no desire to walk together as each seems to want to do their thing irrespective of what all have agreed. When parts of the 'body' consider themselves intellectually superior and have branded another side ignorant you realise that there are different levels and no even playing field. It seems that one side has decided to set their cultural evolution as the standard by which doctrine worldwide must evolve. In my opinion, a lot of little foxes are ruining the vineyard but what do you expect?
If there is to be any form of unity as a body, institutions and decisions reached must be repected by all. A difference of opinion is not such a big deal if the proper channels continue to be followed in trying to reach concensus. It seems to me that some parties have tried to play a fast one the body and it is this disregard for authority that serves to insult not so much the individual actions. What do they expect? For other to play along if there are genuine concerns?
Remember that many people have had to judge their cultural beliefs etc and do away with many things in order to live Christian lives. For many people, it is a daily battle, to choose between culture or biblical standards. It is therefore not enough to make cultural evolution the basis of doctrine.
What id the point of gathering if decisions reached mean nothing? There will always be love and fondness but how can two walk together except they agree on issues they consider important?
Maybe the covenant is just another bit of literature that will probably be adopted by some only for them to completely go against it at will or in the face of ever evolving culture. Another thing to disagree about.
Why bother? We will all do what we want anyway. Our conscience superceeds all else.15 people like this comment.
Elwyn - 07/06/2011
I agree wholeheartedly with Peter and Moya. The Anglican church must not defect even more from the traditional faith of the Universal Church.18 people like this comment.
Tony Rees - 22/06/2011
The first three sections are factual and can be accepted. The fourth section on discipline is not acceptable because it is not the right way to conduct a Christian family, and it inhibits innovation and Christian exploration. We should ask that the fourth section be entirely reconsidered and reformulated. If this is not possible, then we should reject the covenant as falling below acceptable Christian conduct and conversation.17 people like this comment.
Anonymous - 02/08/2011
How can unity be predicated on homophobic exclusion? This document makes a mockery of the whole concept of covenantal inclusion. A typical Anglican fudge devoid of any passionate concern for justice. Clearly written by canon lawyers and not theologians. Hopefully the GB will be prophetic enough to reject to sign it.17 people like this comment.
Fr. Andrew Miller - 28/08/2011
My journey so far has brought me from the Church of Rome, through the Church of England and now to the Church in Wales. Christ left us two great commandments - to love God and to love our neighbour as ourselves. As He says - everything stands on these two commandments. As Christians, if we accept these commandments do we need this Covenant? No, we don't. But as sinful, flawed human beings we probably do. We need constant reminders of our fallen state, manifest in our uncharitable dealings with one another. Certainly here in North Wales it is hard to spot a cleric.... most seem ashamed to be seen in their dog collars, except around their church buildings. Throughout all denominations, the servants of the servants of God and those who aspire to those positions seem to confuse their priorities. Love God, Love your neighbour. Christ did not turn away anyone who turned to Him. He demanded changes in their lives, but He also forgave all their sins, and went to the cross bearing all sins, past, present and future. Any Covenant needs to be inclusive of all - especially sinners and as for throwing stones, He taught us about that too. I regard His ministry as largely Pastoral - looking after the fallen, loving the fallen and by His example showing all of us fallen, the Way. Those two Great Commandments should be all the Covenat we need, between christians and non christians, belieivers and non believers alike, but if this one helps point us in the right direction, so be it.16 people like this comment.