Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Latest on D020

Here's the text of the substitute for D020 that Committee 13 passed yesterday morning:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commend the Anglican Covenant proposed in the most recent text of the Covenant Design Group (the "Ridley Cambridge Draft") and any successive drafts to the dioceses for study and comment during the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses report on their study to the Executive Council in keeping with Resolution 2006-A166; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation concerning this Church's response to an Anglican Covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations be invited to consider the Anglican Covenant proposed draft as a document to inform their understanding of and commitment to our common life in the Anglican Communion.


It's considerably weaker than what I originally proposed, but considerably stronger than what I actually expected would emerge from the committee. I am, as I said earlier, "not dissatisfied" with the result. It passed by the convention, it would be a positive gesture toward the covenant that is particularly necessary now in light of what else we've just done. I think the final "Resolved" clause is particularly helpful.

2 comments:

Dale Matson said...

"It passed by the convention"
Do you mean to say, If passed by the convention? It has not happened yet has it?

tjmcmahon said...

Fr. Dan,
I am afraid it is to late to appease anyone. Having done what it has done in the last 3 days, there will be few churches that would allow themselves to enter into a covenant of any sort with TEC. It has already violated every clause, and rejected by huge majority, the uniqueness of Christ. There remain a great many good Christians within it, but it is difficult to continue to call it a church.