(The Living Church editorial)

The decision by the national Executive Council to withdraw the Episcopal Church’s members from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) as it meets next month in Nottingham, England [TLC, May 1] is somewhat surprising. Given the Church’s recent history of unilateral action, the council’s vote to accede to the request of the primates seems uncharacteristic. But the council’s action may not be what it seems.

When the primates met in Northern Ireland [TLC, March 20], they requested that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada “withdraw their members from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference.” The next Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops is to take place in 2008. The council’s decision, revealed in a letter from the Presiding Bishop and the president of the House of Deputies to the chair of the ACC, said, “... we voluntarily withdraw our members from official participation in the ACC as it meets in Nottingham.” The letter says nothing about further participation after Nottingham up to the time of the Lambeth Conference. Even though the ACC is not scheduled to meet again between next month’s meeting and 2008, it could conceivably gather again depending on events within the Anglican Communion.

Even though the council decided to withdraw its members from the ACC meeting, it indicated in its letter that it is asking its members to be present in Nottingham “to listen to reports on the life and ministry we share across the Communion and to be available for conversation and consultation.” By sending its members to the meeting in Nottingham, the council is not fully respecting the primates’ request. By having members present, there will be an opportunity for lobbying their cause or to influence ACC members who may not be clear about a particular issue.

Like the response of the House of Bishops [TLC, April 3] to the Windsor Report, the council seems to be saying it will honor the primates’ request, but only on its own terms. It seems determined to have the last word.

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