How is TEC doing since the release of the Dromantine Communique by the Primates of the Anglican Communion?

From the Dromantine Communique (February 20-25, 2005)

13. We are persuaded however that in order for the recommendations of the Windsor Report to be properly addressed, time needs to be given to the Episcopal Church (USA) and to the Anglican Church of Canada for consideration of these recommendations according to their constitutional processes.

STATUS: Done. The Anglican primates waited another year and a half for The Episcopal Church General Convention to meet in June 2006.

14. Within the ambit of the issues discussed in the Windsor Report and in order to recognise the integrity of all parties, we request that the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada voluntarily withdraw their members from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference. During that same period we request that both churches respond through their relevant constitutional bodies to the questions specifically addressed to them in the Windsor Report as they consider their place within the Anglican Communion. (cf. paragraph 8)

STATUS: Done. The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada have voluntarily withdrawn (though they still sent their representatives to Nottingham anyway and discovered the ACC was serious) their membership from the ACC. This will continue at least through 2008.

15. In order to protect the integrity and legitimate needs of groups in serious theological dispute with their diocesan bishop, or dioceses in dispute with their Provinces, we recommend that the Archbishop of Canterbury appoint, as a matter of urgency, a panel of reference to supervise the adequacy of pastoral provisions made by any churches for such members in line with the recommendation in the Primates's’ Statement of October 2003 (xii). Equally, during this period we commit ourselves neither to encourage nor to initiate cross-boundary interventions.

STATUS: Done, but nothing has actually been accomplished by this group in over a year and a half. Hope springs eternal.

16. Notwithstanding the request of paragraph 14 of thiscommunique, we encourage the Anglican Consultative Council to organise a hearing at its meeting in Nottingham, England, in June 2005 at which representatives of the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada, invited for that specific purpose, may have an opportunity to set out the thinking behind the recent actions of their Provinces, in accordance with paragraph 141 of the Windsor Report.

STATUS: Done. The Episcopal Church did arrive at Nottingham with their withdrawn ACC representatives, the Presiding Bishop, some other Episcopal leaders and with copies "To Set Our Hope In Christ" in hand, but failed to make the biblical case for the recent actions of the Province. The ACC responded by voting in more membership into the ACC from the Global South by including the Primates as members.

17. In reaffirming the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution 1.10 as the present position of the Anglican Communion, we pledge ourselves afresh to that resolution in its entirety, and request the Anglican Consultative Council in June 2005 to take positive steps to initiate the listening and study process which has been the subject of resolutions not only at the Lambeth Conference in 1998, but in earlier Conferences as well.

STATUS: Half-Done. General Convention passed Resolution A165 which commends a listening process, but then redefined it to promote a "greater common understanding might be obtained on the underlying issue of same gender relationships" only. The resolution also calls for another paid-staff member to be added to the staff of the National Church office.

18. In the meantime, we ask our fellow primates to use their best influence to persuade their brothers and sisters to exercise a moratorium on public Rites of Blessing for Same-sex unions and on the consecration of any bishop living in a sexual relationship outside Christian marriage.

STATUS: Major failure. General Convention refused to issue a moratorium on public Rites of Blessings for Same-sex uinions or on the consecration of any bishop living in a sexual relationship outside of Christian marriage.

19. These strategies are intended to restore the full trust of our bonds of affection across the Communion.

STATUS: The bonds of affection across the Communion are broken by the inability of The Episcopal Church at General Convention 2006 to issue the moratoriums. Same Sex blessings continue to be authorized in The Episcopal Church only last weekend and the Diocese of Newark has included candidates that violate this request. The Presiding Bishop and the Presiding Bishop-elect, as well as the House of Bishops have refused to exercise their call to defend the faith and continue to permit these official activities to continue.

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