In 2004, in response to the crisis in the Anglican Communion caused by the consecration of a practicing homosexual as a bishop in the diocese of New Hampshire in the USA and a decision of the Diocese of New Westminster in Canada to authorize the blessing of same sex unions, a Lambeth Commission published The Windsor Report.

Amongst other things, the Report called for a Covenant between the members of the Anglican Communion. The introduction of this Covenant has been discussed at two General Synods of the Anglican Church of Australia, and the Dioceses now have the opportunity to respond.  

The 2005 ACR publication, The Faith Once for All Delivered called for a rejection of any kind of Covenant (not just a particular draft), declaring the Covenant idea ‘a cul-de-sac’. The Anglican Communion already has sufficient instruments by which disciplinary measures can be taken against wayward practice, through the withdrawal of fellowship and new fellowships of Anglicans have emerged over the past few years which have the potential for dealing far more effectively with the problems facing the Communion (e.g. GAFCON and the FCA).

Our Standing Committee is moving similarly, recommending to the Synod that a Covenant not be adopted. The theology of church in Sydney, with primacy given to the local congregations over the Diocese, let alone the Province or the Communion, provides a firm and principled basis upon which to continue to reject the introduction of any Covenant. It would be good for the Synod to discuss these matters further.

A free download of The Faith Once for All Delivered is available here.