Two days after the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) rebuked the Episcopal Church, suspending its delegates from the ACC and its key interim bodies, delegates applauded the Episcopal Church’s ethical investment program during its Friday morning session.

Anti-American animus, which reached a high-water mark following the Tuesday afternoon presentations and Wednesday afternoon votes, has receded. Delegates today endorsed a resolution that “commends the resolve of the Episcopal Church (USA) to take appropriate action where it finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of Palestinian lands or violence against innocent Israelis.”

The resolution commended the work of Episcopal Church’s Social Responsibility in Investments (SRI) Committee, a part of Peace and Justice Ministries program, for study and review by the wider Communion. A motion to strip “the Episcopal Church” from the resolution, replacing it with a generic phrase commending the work of all churches in this area, failed to attract a seconder.

The softening line towards the Episcopal Church by the ACC delegates represents a general belief among Global South delegates that the “North American issue” has been settled and it is time to move on.

Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria distributed a letter on Wednesday afternoon stating “now that we have considered the position of ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada and made our decision I hope we can turn to the consideration of the many other pressing issues before our worldwide Communion with new energy and commitment.”

The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice Ministries at the Episcopal Church Center, told The Living Church, “I certainly welcome the affirmation of the Episcopal Church’s process. Now we must continue the work and discern what actions will be appropriate.”

After the vote, the Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, the Suffragan Bishop of New York and one of three unofficial observers to ACC-13 from the Episcopal Church said she was pleased the delegates were able to put aside partisan bickering and work on issues important to the whole Communion.

(The Rev.) George Conger is in Nottingham, England reporting for The Living Church from the triennial meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council.

More News From the ACC Triennial:

· Council Somber After Vote to Exclude North Americans

· ACC Suspends North American Churches

· Vote on Resolution to Expel North Americans Scheduled

· Communion's Spotlight is on Presentation Panels

· Archbishop Says Common Ground Still Exists

· Status Quo at ACC Holds on Second Day

· Withdrawn Status of North Americans Noted

· ACC Opening Session Surprise

· ACC Meeting Opens with Dinner and Orientation

· Bishop Roskam to Serve in Two Capacities at Nottingham

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