The Archbishop of Canterbury extended thanks to the Executive Council for its decision to withdraw its three representatives from official participation in the June 21-28 Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meeting in Nottingham, England.

“I have just received the news of the decision about the ACC. Thank you all,” wrote the Most Rev. Rowan Williams in a communication sent to Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold. “I can guess how hard it will have been, but you have acted very generously and constructively and I hope this will bear the fruit it should.”

The council’s letter addressed to the Rt. Rev. John C. Paterson, chairman of the ACC, states:

In the spirit of the covenant statement recently adopted by our House of Bishops, we voluntarily withdraw our members from official participation in the ACC as it meets in Nottingham. As an expression of our desire ‘to bear one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2), we are asking our members to be present at the meeting to listen to reports on the life and ministry we share across the Communion and to be available for conversation and consultation.

To read the Executive Council letter in its entirety, click here.

Episcopal News Service contributed to this report.

Read more on Executive Council’s decision here:

· Council to Send Observers to ACC Meeting

· Presiding Bishop: More to Anglican Unity Than ACC

· Bishops Affirm Loyalty to Communion

· Bishop Sauls: Firm Desire to Remain in Communion

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