Bonnie Anderson discusses Episcopal Church's response to Windsor Report with Canadian General Synod
Episcopal News Service. June 21, 2007 [062107-01]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
Bonnie Anderson, president of the Episcopal Church's House or Deputies, explained the Church's Windsor Report response during two large-group conversations June 20 at the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Anderson was part of a three-member panel which made its presentation twice during what the Synod called "conversations." The Synod's approximately 295 delegates (bishops, clergy and laity) had three choices of conversations to join. The topics included the blessing of same-gender relationships, which the Canadian church is due to consider later this week, and financial development, as well as the one titled "Windsor Report/Communion."
The other panelists were Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, who spoke about the Church of England's response, and Dr. Patricia Bays, who explained the Anglican Church of Canada's proposed response. The Windsor Report was not issued in time for the Canadian General Synod's last meeting to respond to it and thus it is taking it up now.
The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is the church's chief governing and legislative body. It is made up of members from every diocese and all three orders (lay people, priests and bishops) from across the country. Meeting every three years, the members sit in one house unlike the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops and House of Deputies. The 2007 meeting began June 19 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and will conclude June 25. Along with other business, the members will elect the Canadian church's next Primate on June 22.
Anderson and the other two presenters had eight minutes each to discuss their church's response or proposed response to the Windsor Report. Their remarks were followed by 20 minutes of table conversation and then 20 minutes of questions for the panelist. About 140 people attended each of the sessions, Anderson said.
Anderson summarized the work of both the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion and the special legislative committee that was appointed to deal with the commission's proposed resolutions in response to the Windsor Report for the 75th General Convention, which met in June 2006.
She also explained the five resolutions passed by the Convention. The resolutions Anderson discussed were A160 Expression of Regret, A165 Commitment to the Windsor and Listening Processes, A166 Anglican Covenant Development Process, A167 "Full and Equal Claim" for all the Baptized, and B033 On Election of Bishops.
Anderson reminded the groups that the Episcopal Church has not authorized a public rite for blessing same-gender relationships. Such blessings were one of the concerns of the Windsor Report.
She also noted to the group the report of the Communion Sub-Group. The Anglican Communion group that included Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams generally gave the Episcopal Church positive marks for its response to various requests to explain its decisions regarding same-gender blessings, the episcopal ordination of an openly gay and partnered priest, and its desire to remain a part of the Anglican Communion.
During both question-and-answer sessions, Anderson was asked about reports that the Episcopal Church is "falling apart." She told both groups that a small number of dioceses have members who are upset with the Church's decisions, but that each of those dioceses include "faithful Episcopalians" and "we're making every effort to attend to their pastoral needs."
The vast majority of Episcopal Church dioceses, Anderson said, "are moving forward in mission with great enthusiasm" and Episcopalians at all levels of the Church are engaged in mission with Anglican Communion partners, especially through the work of Episcopal Relief and Development.
"Many people were relieved to hear that because the questions were asked out of deep concern," Anderson said after the sessions.
Earlier in the day June 20, Anderson preached at noonday prayer held in the Synod's plenary hall. Preaching on Mark 2:15-17, Anderson reminded worshippers that Jesus dined with outcasts and sinners while the Pharisees, "the self-proclaimed powerful," wanted to define who was holy.
"Let us ask Jesus to help us break down the barriers of exclusion and self-important power that keep us apart from Him and each other," she said.
Echoing the Synod's theme of "Draw the Circle Wide. Draw it Wider Still!" Anderson concluded, "Let us ask Jesus to help us turn the pyramid of power into a powerful circle of reconciliation, healing and inclusion."