An Executive Council task force has prepared a study guide to assist Episcopalians interested in commenting on the proposed Anglican covenant. Comments must be sent to Council headquarters at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City no later than June 4.

The six-page study guide presents the proposed covenant line-by-line, along with a commentary on the proposed language. After the commentary one or more questions are offered.

The publication of the study guide completes the work of that task force, which consisted of members of Executive Council’s international concerns committee. In consultation with Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will appoint a second Executive Council task force to compile the comments on the proposed Anglican Covenant and draft a response for Executive Council to consider at its October meeting in Detroit.

In March, during its meeting in Portland, Ore., council approved resolutions defining its own role in crafting official responses to the proposed Anglican Covenant and parts of the primates’ communiqué.

The October meeting in Detroit is the last Executive Council meeting scheduled in 2007. Responses to the proposed Anglican Covenant must be received by Jan. 1, 2008. Because council does not meet in the fall until after the Sept. 30 deadline, the response to the communiqué must be completed during the council meeting in June.

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