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[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Tuesday, March 09, 2004

Joint Standing Committee underscores Communion's priorities

By Matthew Davies

ENS 030904-1

[Episcopal News Service] The meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council 
(ACC) and Primates Joint Standing Committee, held in Canterbury, England, 
drew to a close March 5 with the clear message that the global workings of 
the Anglican Communion must continue.

The committee, which meets annually, is the interim body that oversees the 
day-to-day operations of the Anglican Communion Office in London and the 
programs and ministries of the "four instruments of unity": the Lambeth 
Conference; the Anglican Consultative Council; the Primates' Meeting; and 
the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who was elected in May 2003 to represent 
the Americas on the Primates' Standing Committee, said, "The week spent 
with partners from around the Anglican Communion was very encouraging. 
Though strains within the Communion were alluded to, the real energy was 
focused on the multi-faceted mission we share as a global community. Once 
again, it was brought home to me that being with one another and 
worshipping together makes it possible for us to appreciate the different 
contexts in which we seek to live our lives in Christ. I came away deeply 
grateful for the webs of relationship that bind us together in a ministry 
of reconciliation, not for our own sake but for the sake of the world."

On the morning of March 2, Griswold celebrated the Eucharist at Canterbury 
Cathedral as he commemorated the 19th anniversary of his consecration to 
the episcopate.

Statement upholds unity

Bishop John Paterson, chair of the ACC and primate of Aotearoa, New Zealand 
and Polynesia, said that the atmosphere in Canterbury had been "open, 
honest and reconciling," adding that "the heart of the Communion is solid." 
He said, "It thrills me that all the provinces are paying their share to 
keep the Anglican Communion Office's operation going."

A statement issued by the Joint Standing Committee on March 4 mentioned the 
"seriousness of the situation confronting the Anglican Communion," but also 
cited encouragement, especially as financial contributions from all the 
member churches are in line with budget expectations, and that the networks 
and commissions of the Anglican Communion are operating effectively.

"Although we face serious financial difficulties, we are conscious of the 
sacrificial giving of many people and Churches in the Anglican Communion," 
the statement said, adding that the Communion is fully committed to 
endeavors in theological education, inter faith work and continuing 
ecumenical dialogues.

The committee also called on "those entrusted with leadership within the 
family to carry out their own mission in a spirit of reconciliation, 
honesty and openness."

In a letter sent to the Anglican Communion Office on February 20, the 
Venerable Oluranti Odubogun, General Secretary of the Anglican Church in 
Nigeria, revealed that the Nigerian primate, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, 
would not be attending the Joint Standing Committee meeting "primarily 
because he is unable to seat with ECUSA at any meeting of the Global 
Communion."

Lambeth Commission supported

According to Paterson, the committee fully supports the process of the 
Lambeth Commission, which met for the first time in February, and hopes 
that all will allow the Commission's work to take its course.

The Lambeth Commission received its mandate from the Archbishop of 
Canterbury following the meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion 
in Lambeth Palace, London, in October 2003. It has been asked to look at 
ways of maintaining the highest degree of communion possible in light of 
developments in ECUSA and the Diocese of New Westminster, Canada.

Gathering in South Africa

In addition to planning some new developments in the field of 
telecommunication, the work of the committee has included the process of 
finding a new secretary general for the Anglican Communion and continuing 
the ongoing plans for the 2005 Anglican Consultative Council and the 2008 
Anglican Gathering in South Africa.

The committee statement thanked God for "the sacrificial work being done in 
our collective name by so many in so many places and for some many reasons 
and needs" and urged the faithful throughout the Communion "to own the work 
being done and assist in all ways imaginable to see it strengthened in the 
coming years."

Praise for Anglican Observer

In his report to the committee, the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary 
General of the Anglican Communion Office, spoke about how the ministry of 
the Anglican Observer at the United Nations, which holds an office at the 
Episcopal Church Center, has continued to flourish despite some of the 
financial challenges it has encountered over the years.

"Besides financial concerns, the Anglican Observer's Advisory Council has 
also been keenly aware that the Observer's staff is tremendously 
over-stretched in New York," Peterson said. "Therefore, when the Advisory 
Council met last November in retreat, a new Volunteer Programme was 
established for the Office." At the Epiphany Service during the Advisory 
Council's meeting in January, Griswold commissioned the first four 
volunteers, who will assist the Observer in attending meetings and helping 
with the different needs arising in her office.

A Solemn Eucharist and Blessing of the new Anglican Communion Office was 
held on March 5 with the Most Revd Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury 
presiding. Photographs can be found at: 
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/37/75/acns3796.cfm

Standing Committee members

The Primates' Standing Committee members include Rowan Williams, the 
Archbishop of Canterbury, and regional elected members: Archbishop Bernard 
Malango of Central Africa; Archbishop Peter Kwong of Hong Kong Sheng Kung 
Hui; Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold of the Episcopal Church in the USA; 
Archbishop Barry Morgan of Wales; and Bishop Zechariah James Terom, 
Moderator and Bishop of Chotanagpur, who was unable to attend for personal 
reasons.

The elected members of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative 
Council are: Presiding Bishop John Paterson, Primate of Aotearoa, New 
Zealand, and Polynesia, ACC chairman; Bishop James Tengatenga of South 
Malawi; Archbishop Peter Akinola, Primate of the Church in Nigeria; the 
Very Rev. John Henry Moses, Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, London; Bishop 
Riah Hanna Abu El-Assal of Jerusalem; the Rev. Robert Thompson of the 
Church in the Province of the West Indies; Jolly Babirukamu of the Church 
in the Province of Uganda; Fung-yi Wong of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, and 
Professor George Koshy of the Church of South India, ACC vice-chair. The 
chair of the Inter-Anglican Finance Committee is Archbishop Robert Eames of 
Ireland.

--Matthew Davies is a staff writer for the Episcopal News Service

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