The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) has called for a renewed commitment to “relationships and trust” across the global Anglican Communion, as its meeting last week.
The ACC is made up of bishops, clergy and lay representatives from nearly 40 member churches.
The meeting, held in Belfast, saw the 'Nairobi-Cairo proposals' discussed. These are suggestions developed by the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO). Across the global Church, some episcopal branches regard Anglicanism as too being England-centric. They regard it to be taking a Western view on hot topics such as sexuality, gender and the authority of Canterbury.
Under the Nairobi-Cairo proposals, the role currently held by Most Rev Sarah Mullally would have only a nominal "historical" signifcance, rather than being the group's main spiritual leader.
However, after lengthy debate, the group voted not to implement the changes. Instead, it passed a resolution inviting churches to enter a three-year period of "dialogue and prayerful discernment".
Chair of the ACC, Canon Maggie Swinson, said the Council had been a productive and “important space for discernment and conversation." She expressed gratitude for the “vitality of discussion and respectful debate” at the Belfast gathering.
Vice-Chair and Jerusalem Archbishop Hosam Naoum said the week had been “a precious time of listening to one another and listening to God,” emphasising the need to “build bridges, foster peace and cultivate unity.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said the week had been a "great encouragement" for the "shared life" of the Anglican family.
"I’m grateful for the time spent in prayer, pilgrimage and conversation as sisters and brothers in Christ from around the world – as we consider what it means to be ‘Called To One Hope’. I give thanks to God for the extraordinary ministries of Anglicans around the world which we have affirmed and renewed this week," she said.
“As we have considered the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals this week, we have acknowledged the pain caused by our differences and divisions. I also hear and feel deeply the pain of those who would describe themselves as not being in communion with the See of Canterbury. At ACC-19, we have reflected on the importance of building trust, and that the response to our differences must be spiritual and relational.”
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, urged every member church to engage with the proposals in the next phase of “discernment and conversation, for the unity of Christ’s church.”
Chair of IASCUFO, Bishop Graham Tomlin, said the work on the proposals was “a journey of discovery and discernment,” and expressed hope that churches would “do the deep work of prayer and shared theological discernment so that God’s church is strengthened for its mission in the world”.