Delegates to the first Common Cause council meeting elected officers, appointed members to committees among other steps toward “building a federation of orthodox Anglicans in North America” Dec. 17-18 in Orlando, Fla.

“Each Common Cause Partner will continue to live out its unique role, maintaining its distinctive ministry and character,” states a communiqué released afterward. “In the months and years ahead we anticipate a growing number of joint mission initiatives that will strengthen our witness as united and faithful Anglicans in North America.”

Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh presided during the council meeting and was elected moderator of Common Cause. Other officers elected include Canon Charlie Masters of the Anglican Network of Canada as general secretary and Mrs. Patience Oruh of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America as treasurer.

Common Cause is composed of 10 para-church organizations. Three of those organizations: American Anglican Council (AAC), the Anglican Communion Network and Forward in Faith North America (FIFNA) contain members who belong to The Episcopal Church. Bishop Keith Ackerman of Quincy was a delegate for FIFNA and Bishop Peter Beckwith of Springfield served as a delegate for the AAC.