The Anglican Church of Mexico, which was part of the Episcopal Church until 1995, has become the first province to adopt the Anglican Covenant.

The province adopted the Covenant during its sixth General Synod, which met June 11-12 in Mexico City.

“We are delighted to hear that Mexico has agreed to adopt the Covenant,” said the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. “Provinces were asked to take their time to seriously consider this document, and we are glad to hear from recent synods that they are doing just that.”

Canon Kearon added that he saw Mexico’s adoption of the Covenant as a “significant step” in the life of the Anglican Communion.

The vote also is significant because Mexico’s primate, the Most Rev. Carlos Touche–Porter, has frequently stood with pro-gay advocacy groups within the Anglican Communion.

The archbishop became one of four patrons of Inclusive Church in 2007. He said then that his province would accept clergy involved in same-sex partnerships, adding: “Mexican society is open and tolerant and our church reflects this.”

The archbishop also was one of 21 people to sign the “Declaration of the Anglican Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean (Global Center)” in 2007.

“It has been proven in our relations that we greatly represent the plurality and diversity that are universal characteristics of Anglicanism and that we hold different positions on the themes that are presently discussed in the Communion,” that statement said. “However, we have also experienced that the plurality and diversity we represent has become a rich source for growth, rather than a cause for controversy and division. We unanimously express our determination to remain united as members of the same family and will continue to come to the Lord’s Table, together.”