Much was accomplished through obviously difficult and taxing work by the Primates at Dar es Salaam. In one key area, it is clear that the work of two Camp Allen meetings of Windsor Bishops was endorsed at Dar es Salaam. Up until now, that work has been largely confidential though public statements were released as was possible.
Here is what was accomplished:
• The Pastoral Council scheme (suggested in an early form by ACI) was discussed and adapted in Camp Allen deliberations – it emerged in the Dar communiqué in specific form
• The agreement to work to see to an end to inventions was forthcoming at the second meeting – this emerged from Dar es Salaam as well, linked as was hoped to a workable plan for oversight, 'an American solution to an American problem'
• The moratoria were a part of the Camp Allen principles – these were requested at Dar es Salaam and a date set of 30 Sept for their adherence
• The 'thresholds' for attendance at Camp Allen meetings – these are confirmed and referred to by name as 'Camp Allen Principles'
In addition, a kind of bridge was built back to the Presiding Bishop by utilization of the 'Primatial Vicar' language, now as an ingredient in a five member Pastoral Council scheme.
The HOB has stood aloof from the Pastoral Council scheme, at its recent March meeting. It has been rejected as not consistent with our polity - this, in spite of quotes emerging in which the PB speaks of the Council scheme indeed being possible. Or, some have suggested that former schemes (DEPO etc) ought to be revisited. Still others have said the HOB will concoct its own scheme, and claims recognition of the problem (to which the Pastoral Council was proposed as a remedy) is a conviction of the HOB.
Given the way in which the Primates have sought to connect with the logic and hard work of two Camp Allen meetings of Windsor Bishops; and given the hesitancy about or outright rejection of the Pastoral Council scheme by members of the HOB, it is incumbent upon Windsor Bishops to meet and find a way to respond to what has been proposed at Dar es Salaam. Otherwise, the work will simply fall to the side and we will be left with a variety of invention initiatives (which were to be halted or better ordered by the instrument of a Pastoral Council, so it was to be hoped by the communiqué's logic) on the one side; and on the other, the integrity of the Primates Meeting-of which the PB of TEC was present-will be in question.
The view of ACI is that nominations for Primatial Vicar should be made by Bishops holding to the Camp Allen principles, consistent with what the communiqué stated. Presumably nominations for the Pastoral Council have been made by the Primates, as requested by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Let the Pastoral Council be formed as was requested, and then present the HOB of TEC with a choice to be involved in it, or make suggestions as to how to implement it, if it so insists – these to be taken under advisement.
But the requests of the Primates Meeting ought not to be stalled simply because members of the HOB of TEC are finding ways to suggest a different direction, temporize, or condemn. The Anglican Communion's integrity is not a matter of what the HOB of TEC, or TEC in General Convention, wishes. TEC has been given choices and the requests of the Primates Meeting need to be followed up on.
Christopher Seitz
–The Rev. Professor Chris Seitz has been Professor of Old Testament at Yale University and the University of St Andrews; he serves as the President of the Anglican Communion Institute
Here is what was accomplished:
• The Pastoral Council scheme (suggested in an early form by ACI) was discussed and adapted in Camp Allen deliberations – it emerged in the Dar communiqué in specific form
• The agreement to work to see to an end to inventions was forthcoming at the second meeting – this emerged from Dar es Salaam as well, linked as was hoped to a workable plan for oversight, 'an American solution to an American problem'
• The moratoria were a part of the Camp Allen principles – these were requested at Dar es Salaam and a date set of 30 Sept for their adherence
• The 'thresholds' for attendance at Camp Allen meetings – these are confirmed and referred to by name as 'Camp Allen Principles'
In addition, a kind of bridge was built back to the Presiding Bishop by utilization of the 'Primatial Vicar' language, now as an ingredient in a five member Pastoral Council scheme.
The HOB has stood aloof from the Pastoral Council scheme, at its recent March meeting. It has been rejected as not consistent with our polity - this, in spite of quotes emerging in which the PB speaks of the Council scheme indeed being possible. Or, some have suggested that former schemes (DEPO etc) ought to be revisited. Still others have said the HOB will concoct its own scheme, and claims recognition of the problem (to which the Pastoral Council was proposed as a remedy) is a conviction of the HOB.
Given the way in which the Primates have sought to connect with the logic and hard work of two Camp Allen meetings of Windsor Bishops; and given the hesitancy about or outright rejection of the Pastoral Council scheme by members of the HOB, it is incumbent upon Windsor Bishops to meet and find a way to respond to what has been proposed at Dar es Salaam. Otherwise, the work will simply fall to the side and we will be left with a variety of invention initiatives (which were to be halted or better ordered by the instrument of a Pastoral Council, so it was to be hoped by the communiqué's logic) on the one side; and on the other, the integrity of the Primates Meeting-of which the PB of TEC was present-will be in question.
The view of ACI is that nominations for Primatial Vicar should be made by Bishops holding to the Camp Allen principles, consistent with what the communiqué stated. Presumably nominations for the Pastoral Council have been made by the Primates, as requested by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Let the Pastoral Council be formed as was requested, and then present the HOB of TEC with a choice to be involved in it, or make suggestions as to how to implement it, if it so insists – these to be taken under advisement.
But the requests of the Primates Meeting ought not to be stalled simply because members of the HOB of TEC are finding ways to suggest a different direction, temporize, or condemn. The Anglican Communion's integrity is not a matter of what the HOB of TEC, or TEC in General Convention, wishes. TEC has been given choices and the requests of the Primates Meeting need to be followed up on.
Christopher Seitz
–The Rev. Professor Chris Seitz has been Professor of Old Testament at Yale University and the University of St Andrews; he serves as the President of the Anglican Communion Institute
