The Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (IASCER) has responded positively to the proposal for an Anglican covenant. Meeting Dec. 3-6 in Beau Vallon, the Seychelles, the group prepared a contribution to the work of the Covenant Design Group. The Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, primate of the Province of the West Indies, is chair of both IASCER and the design group.

The response, according to a news release from Anglican Communion News Service, came during "the course of reflections on the current life of the Anglican Communion." The idea of a covenant is proposed in paragraph 118 of the Windsor Report, which "would make explicit and forceful the loyalty and bonds of affection which govern the relationships between the churches of the Communion." Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has also endorsed the concept of a covenant.

IASCER is charged with reviewing international ecumenical dialogues involving Anglicans as well as provincial and regional initiatives which contribute toward unity with other Christians. The group consists of representatives from each international dialogue involving Anglicans. Bishop Christopher Epting, the Presiding Bishop's deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations, represents The Episcopal Church for IASCER.

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