Stanley Isaacs is now on the floor. He is noting that that
4:37 p.m. Video now offline. I've learned that Section IV is not yet in the draft.
4:32 p.m. Voting on an amendment to pull c into b. Amendment passes. Very narrow margin.
We now have an amendment e which seems to be b & c merged together.
4:25 p.m. Mouneer Anis continues to push back at the maneuvering.
4:19 p.m. Now moving to Resolution C.
- c) asks the Secretary General to send the Ridley Cambridge Draft, at this time, only to member Churches of the ACC for consideration and decision on acceptance or adoption by them
Request to change the word "Draft" to "Text" so it would be Ridley Cambridge Text.
4:05 p.m. Now moving to Resolution B. They are voting.
- b) recognises that an Anglican Communion Covenant may provide an effective means to strengthen and promote our common life as a Communion
4:00 p.m. EST I will continue live blogging, newest post first. Debate is underway on whether they will continue debating Resolution A (that seeks to remove/modify Section IV) and pushing back on attempts to shelve the debate on Resolution A.
Archbishop of Canterbury now stands. He says they should vote on A. Rowan intervenes and they are now back to debating Resolution A.
They are now voting on Resolution A. Resolution A.
Results: Section IV remains in the Covenant.
FRIDAY AM:
UPDATE: This is a good time to pray. Click here to Lent & Beyond for helpful guidance in praying for today's meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council as they now deliberate the proposed Anglican Covenant.
LIVE BLOGGING NOW UNDERWAY.
As we await the results on the voting, we've just learned that Church of England's Liverpool Cathedral plans to ring "Imagine," by John Lennon on its cathedral bells on May 16.
"We recognise its power to make us think," says a Cathedral spokesperson. "As a cathedral we do not shrink from debate. We recognise the existence of other world views." Imagine that.We thought we might as well put the song up at the Cafe while we wait.
Thanks to Robert Lundy over at SF liveblogging on the floor of AAC-14, here's an update. There are two resolutions up for ratification today, the Windsor Continutation Goup (WCG) Resolution and the Anglican Covenantion Resolution.
The ACC is now voting on the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG) Resolution. It reads:
Section(a) has passed. Voting underway on Section(b)
- a) thanks the ABC for his report on the work and recommendations of the WCG
- b) notes the recommendations of the WCG
- c) affirms the request of the WR (2004) adopted at the Primates' Meetings (2005, 2007, 2009) and supported at the Lambeth Conferenc (2008) for the implementation of the agred moratoria on the Consecration of Bishops living in a same gender union, authorisation of public Rites of Blessing for Same Sex Unions and continued interventions in other Province
- d) acknowledges the efforts that have been made to hold to the moratoria, gives thanks for the gracious restraint that has been observed in these areas and recognises the deep cost of such restraint
- e) asks that urgent conversations are facilitated with those Provinces where the application of the moratoria gives rise for concern
- f) encourages the ABC to worth with the JSC and the SG to carry forward the implementation of the WCG report recommendations as appropriate
- g) asks the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order to unertake a study of the role and responsibilities in the Communion of the ABCm, the Lambeth Conference, the ACC and the Primates' Meeting; the ecclesiological rationale of each, and the relationshps between them, in line with the WCG report, and to report back to ACC-15
- h) calls the Communion to pray for repentance, conversion and renewal; leading to deeper communion
Debate is now underway regarding Section(c) and the missing Fourth Moritoria, which there is a request to add as an amendment. The Episcopal Church opposes Section(c) and Katharine Jefferts Schori opposes Mouneer Anis' amendment to restore the Fourth Moritoria to the resolution. Schori is attempting to defend her use of a litigation as a weapson against dissent.
From Robert's notes:
JEFFERTS SCHORI: "thank you I would urge you to vote against this amendment. the reality is that those tha tremove protperty from tec have doen so without dialogue (BB NOTE: liar, liar, pants on fire) ...the archibhosp of sudan, hararere, and brazil have had to go to court in order to get their property abck...the current bishop of jeruslaem has had to go to court to defend his property...when ...are unwilling to discuss those matters...church leaders have a morale and fidicuariy responsibility to protect those assest.
Apparently, Schori has now been caught in the fib. After all, there was something called the Bishop of Virginia's Protocol for Departing Congregations which one can read more about here. The Protocol was created after the findings of the Diocese of Virginia's Reconciliation Commission which found that the crisis in Virginia had reached a Level Five Conflict.
MAJOR VICTORY for the ORTHODOX: Section (b) passes with the word "affirms." Section(b) now reads: Affirms (not Notes) the recommendations of the WCG. Excellent!
BB LIVE BLOGGING: The ACC meeting on the proposed resolutions has now resumed after a coffee break. The Amendment for the Fourth Moritoria has lost. Of course, the Fourth Moritoria is mentioned in Section(b) since that section affirms the actual Windsor Continuation Group's Report which includes the Fourth Moritoria.
They are now turning to Section(c):
Voting underway on Section(c).
- c) affirms the request of the WR (2004) adopted at the Primates' Meetings (2005, 2007, 2009) and supported at the Lambeth Conferenc (2008) for the implementation of the agred moratoria on the Consecration of Bishops living in a same gender union, authorisation of public Rites of Blessing for Same Sex Unions and continued interventions in other Province
Robert reports Chris Sugden as saying: "The ACC is split down the middle on the matter of the fourth moratorium."
They are now turning to Section(d) which reads:
There does not yet seem to be any speakers to Section(d). They are voting on Section(d).
- d) acknowledges the efforts that have been made to hold to the moratoria, gives thanks for the gracious restraint that has been observed in these areas and recognises the deep cost of such restraint
They now turn to Section(e) which reads:
They are now making statements on Section(e).
- e) asks that urgent conversations are facilitated with those Provinces where the application of the moratoria gives rise for concern
There is a proposal for "an actual listening process," says a delegate from the floor. Another delegate is saying that his clause has to do the moritoria. The first delegate (Bishop Godfrey) says that there needs to be an understanding as to why people are crossing borders. Another point of order.
Rowan Williams is now speaking in favor of the Pastoral Forum and pastoral visitors and that the WCG Report has been affirmed.
The Episcopal Church (Bishop Roskem) is now speaking and saying that the shadow dioceses need to be heard.
There is also a request to hear from those who are being sued by The Episcopal Church.
They are now voting on Section(e)
UPDATE: Section(c) and Section(d) passes.
Attention starts to turn Section(f):
Voting now underway on Section(f).
- f) encourages the ABC to worth with the JSC and the SG to carry forward the implementation of the WCG report recommendations as appropriate
Attentions turns to Section(g):
A delegate finds a type and the word "the" is inserted (from Robert: the word "the" should be entered after "asks"...) Voting now underway.
- g) asks the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order to unertake a study of the role and responsibilities in the Communion of the ABC, the Lambeth Conference, the ACC and the Primates' Meeting; the ecclesiological rationale of each, and the relationshps between them, in line with the WCG report, and to report back to ACC-15
Now they are moving to vote on Section(h).
Section(e) passes unanimously. Section(f) passes. Section(g) passes.
They are now applauding.
BACK NOW - Was ordering pizza.
New Chair of ACC: Bishop Tengatenga is chair.
Runner up was Elizabeth Paver.
Stay tuned for the Anglican Covenant debate ...
Debate on the Anglican Covenant begins:
Here is the Anglican Communion Covenant (ACC) Resolution:
Ian Douglas of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Design Group is now thanking everybody. They are debating Section IV. He opposes Section IV. He says he can't speak for his church (oh yeah?) but of course, he is.
- a) thanks the Covenant Design Group for their faithfulness and responsiveness in producing the drafts for an Anglican Communion Covenant and, in particular, for the Ridley Cambridge Draft, submitted to this meeting
- b) recognises that an Anglican Communion Covenant may provide an effective means to strengthen and promote our common life as a Communion
- c) asks the Secretary General to send the Ridley Cambridge Draft, at this time, only to member Churches of the ACC for consideration and decision on acceptance or adoption by them
- d) asks those member Churches to report to the ACC-15 on the progress made in the processes of response to, and acceptance or adoption of, the Covenant
Douglas says there will be a question of who is the real Anglican presence in the United States at ACC-15 if Section IV remains. Wants Section IV (d) removed.
- d) asks those member Churches to report to the ACC-15 on the progress made in the processes of response to, and acceptance or adoption of, the Covenant
We'll call this the Douglas Resolution.
The next delegate (from Sudan) says that Section is the most important part of the resolution.
The next delegate also affirms that all four sections must remain together - this is the most perfect they will ever get this covenant. I think it's Bishop Mouneer who is speaking.
The next delegate (SE Asia, Stanley Isaac) also affirms that all four sections must remain together and he's getting very passionate about it. It would be disastrous if it went forward without Section IV. This the solution to the problem that has not only divided the communion but has embarrassed churches in countries all over the world. Either we ratify it or we don't. It is a hope in Christ that this will be finding a just solution that is once again united in the bond of Christ. We long for that unity again. This is a defining moment. It
Next delegate speaks in favor of keeping all four sections together and defeat Ian Douglas' resolution to remove Section IV. He's from Tanzania. (Akiri, Tanzania - thanks, Robert).
Next delegate speaks in favor of keeping all four sections and defeat Douglas Resolution.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has now taken the floor.
Rowan Williams stands against the Douglas Resolution and in favor of keeping all four sections together. Of course, they way he puts it is "I am not persuaded to agree to this resolution" - that is to the (Douglas) Resolution to removed Section IV. Hooray!
Next delegate supports keeping all four sections together (Azad) and the delegate after him also supports keeping all four sections together and oppose the Douglas Resolution.
J. Hicks of TEC has now taken the floor and starts talking about what she's hearing and she says that Section IV is far from perfect and needs "careful reflection" - and supports the Douglas Resolution (of course!). "We are all here, every province in the AC is here and participated fully, we worship together every morning, we study scripture together every morning ... we also get very energized by the networks. " So, she's saying, who needs Section IV? Right.
Polynesia Delegate: Amendment to Section IV. This is the guy from New Zealand. Suprise, surprise, surprise.
BB NOTE: Okay, so I ordered pizza and this would be very good moment for the pizza to arrive. I looked into whether one could order pizza for the other journalists who are sitting there in Jamaica ---- hold on. Pizza's here!
The delegate now speaking - Bishop Godfrey, a great man - is in favor of keeping all four sections together and oppose the Douglas Resolution.
Just lost the connection ... hold on.
Okay, back up. Thought maybe the ordering of pizza caused an issue - I knew I should have ordered delivery for the gang in Kingstown.
Someone with a New Zealand accent is now talking. Apparently missed the Nigeria delegate, but Robert reports that the delegate from Nigeria said, "I am pleading with this house...please lets forge ahead...strike res. a." Resolution A is the Douglas Resolution.
New Zealand-sounding delegate sounds like he's in favor of the Douglas Resolution and the next delegate also supports the Douglas Resolution and wants to offer an amendment. He may be from Australia.
We are seeing abundant evidence that there is split between Canterbury and New York - though Canterbury continues to play the reconciler. Very, very interesting.
Question remaining on whether to send out Covenant as it is or send it out without Section IV or an amended Section IV.
Now there are attempts to muddy the waters by fooling around with Section IV. This is where it can get very, very muddy.
Isaacs - what a cool guy. He's getting them back on track. What a cool guy. I think I have a new hero.
The attempt is underway to stall the Anglican Covenant by amending or removing Section IV. By Douglas coming right out with removing Section IV (and Canterbury saying, no, he didn't agree with that) it opens the floor then to modifying Section IV as a moderate response. That's a strategic plan to prolong this into oblivion. Resist!
More attempts now by Canada to "defer" the discussion. Aspinal of Austraila is among those who are now attempting to amend - the progressives are attempting amendments realizing they have don't have enough votes to defeat Section IV. But but putting the defeat of Section IV right on the table, that opened up "concilitory" amendments to keep Section IV but in fact, gut of it's intention and its meeting. Constant Vigilance!
The current amendment would require that the reconsidered Section IV - how do you amend a reconsideration?
Now they are proposing changing the agenda. This is classic maneuvering so that the opponents can re-caucus their strategy.
They have taken a lunch break.
Thoughts: “and acceptance or adoption of”
It is my opinion that it was a strategic plan to have Ian Douglas start off the debate by taking the dramatic (and un-Anglican) move to striking the entire 4th Section (section d).
So now the Global South line up in support of Section IV and they do a masterful job.
But it was never expected that Section IV would be stricken. The votes aren’t there. We saw what the real votes are when the modification of “affirmed” was made on Sectionb of the Windsor Continuation Group Resolution - TEC opposed that, but now the WCG Report has been affirmed. The original word was “notes” - now it is “affirmed.”
So TEC & Allies know that they can’t get Section IV removed, so they move to strike it with the plan to amend it into oblivion. Obviously, Rowan Williams made it clear as well that he did not support removing Section IV.
This is where their parliamentary powers come into play. Instead of just voting, which would mean Section IV would remain and thus attempts to then amend it would be resisted, no matter what the amendments since they gain momentum having beaten back the attempt to strike Section IV - they then go to amend Ian Douglas’ Resolution A to actually rewrite Section IV from the floor.
This brings confusion. It is the Anglican way to find a middle way, not to take one stand over the other. That’s the polity at this level. So now the Global South becomes the dogmatic ones for sticking with an unmodified Section IV.
What I would do is have all the Global South delegates respond with lots of different amendments to the amendments until there is so much confusion that they have to go back to Section IV and either keep it or remove it. But I would just keep amending and amending and not allow the chair to close the debate.
Section IV is in the Ridley Draft of the Anglican Covenant.
My guess is that TEC will want to drag the Joint Standing Committee into this somehow. They will want to delete the “and/or section” which means there actually has to be a decision.
If that decision is modified, the words “and acceptance or adoption of” the Anglican Communion is finished.
Watch Rowan carefully. If he allows that wording to be gutted than he’s not the man I think he is. In his heart, he sees the Communion as the Church, as the Anglo-Orthodox Catholic that he is. If there is no decision about whether churches will decided “acceptance or adoption” than the Communion falls apart and that will be on his watch. The Episcopal Church will never make that decision on its own, never, never, never, never, never. It will have to be requested. And in order to comply, TEC will have to assent that there is an authority other than itself that it must conform. And it can’t do that - and that is why we’re in crisis. There is no accountability.
So watch that language: “response to, and acceptance or adoption of” and that the response is to the AAC which means there is three years, which means that TEC there is only one General Convention between now and then - the one this summer, the one that Rowan Williams is attending.
TEC will throw everything it has to stop that. Watch those five words “and acceptance or adoption of” and pray.
3:30 p.m. Afternoon Session
Resolution A-C - 65 voted, 34 in favored - amendment passes - what was the amendment?
Abraham Yisa from Nigeria is speaking on rejecting Resolution A (Douglas Resolution) - He's quite impressive. He's making the case for the Resolution for the Anglican Covenant to go forward as is.
The chair is attempting to drop attention away from Douglas Resolution and look at other resolutions, and now there is push-back that they should continue what they've been doing.
Stanley Isaacs is now telling the chair that his proposals are creating more confusion (you can say that again!). "To now say sending Section IV back to the Archbishop of Canterbury" is just to refuse the work of the Anglican Covenant so far. Oh he's so good. He's attempting to pull the discussion back on track, "we really are going in cycles!" We should respect the Covenant Design Group's text, he says.
Now a delegate is saying that they need to redo Section IV (what she's saying is that she wants everyone to listen until everyone agrees with her).
It sounds like Mouneer Anis is now speaking.
LIVE STREAM now up thanks to all of you who donated to send AnglicanTV to Jamaica! See at top of post.
LIVE BLOGGING CONTINUES at the top of the page, newest post first.
1 comment:
Talk talk, nuance nuance, to legitimate the sex, power and money cravings of the entitled.
Anglicanism's detractors are right. Henry VIII created this thing, after all. Maybe Orombi sees this and that's why he's stopped attending.
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