MEXICO: Province becomes first to adopt Anglican Covenant
Episcopal News Service. June 30, 2010 [063010-04]
ENS staff
The Anglican Church of Mexico has become the first province to formally adopt the Anglican Covenant, according to a June 30 release from the Anglican Communion Office.
The decision was made during the province's General Synod, held June 11-12 in Mexico City.
The Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, called the decision a "significant step" in the life of the communion, according to the release.
The Anglican Covenant, which has been sent to the communion's 38 provinces for formal consideration, was first recommended in 2004 as a way for the Anglican Communion to maintain unity amid differing viewpoints, especially on human sexuality issues and biblical interpretation.
Some Anglicans, including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Episcopal Church's Executive Council, have raised concerns about the covenant being used as an instrument of control, particularly in section 4, which outlines a method for resolving disputes in the communion.
Kearon said that "provinces were asked to take their time to seriously consider this document, and we are glad to hear from recent synods that they are doing just that."
The Anglican Church of Mexico and the U.S.-based Episcopal Church have had a covenant relationship since 1875. The Episcopal Church's 71st General Convention in 1994 approved autonomy for the Mexican church for the purpose of forming a new province in the Anglican Communion. Today the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church of Mexico enjoy a covenant relationship.