Anglican Communion Network

ACN Council Meeting Looks with Hope to the Future, Issues Communiqué and Windsor Action Covenant

April 21, 2005

For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia P. Brust 202-412-8721

Representatives of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) gathered for their second annual Council meeting April 18 - 20, 2005 in Bedford, Texas. In addition to delivering and hearing reports on the substantial growth and progress of the ACN, participants addressed issues related to their missionary focus, including church planting, global mission, ministry to youth, and outreach to the poor.

“We recognize that our future in Anglicanism contains great possibilities, and we are preparing for it in many ways,” said ACN Moderator Robert Duncan. “Our meeting was marked by a sense of passion and purpose as well as tremendous energy and a wealth of ideas for moving forward. We are united in our call to change lives and transform the world for Christ.”

One of the highlights of the Council meeting was the presence and ministry of the Rt. Rev. John Chew, Bishop of Singapore and Secretary of the Global South planning team. He presented a model of mission from Singapore that speaks of church planting and evangelism in rigorously difficult circumstances, a context which makes him particularly sensitive to those who seek to maintain orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic setting such as the United States. In addition, he assured the gathering of international solidarity, promising the Global South would stand with the ACN bishops as they stand with those from all dioceses where orthodox clergy are being unjustly pressured.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on addressing the crisis plaguing the Anglican Communion. Participants affirmed their commitment to remaining connected to the worldwide Communion and to upholding the historic faith and order of Anglicanism. The Council also issued a series of statements in a Communiqué covering a variety of issues, including the six Connecticut priests under fire from their bishop. The Council condemned the actions of Bishop Andrew Smith, expressed solidarity with the six congregations as well as their clergy, and pledged support to them as they continue to endure the harassment and threats from Bishop Smith. [See ACN Council Communiqué]

In addition, the Council adopted a Windsor Action Covenant and agreed to take it to each diocese and convocation in order to develop a plan for implementation. The Covenant gives church members at every level a way to help the church choose between walking with the Anglican Communion and walking apart. [See Windsor Action Covenant]

“We completed our meeting with a clear focus and commitment to action,” Bishop Duncan said. “We have set the course for the next months, and now the work of fulfilling those plans begins.”