"The Anglican Consultative Council at its last gathering in 2002 passed a resolution that noted “the constant emphasis on mutual responsibility and interdependence in the resolutions of successive Lambeth Conferences” and “the call in 1998 for a ‘common mind concerning ethical issues where contention threatens to divide’ ”.

Sadly, by proceeding with actions in relation to human sexuality that contradict Anglican teaching, the North American provinces have ignored this and the ACC’s call for “provincial authorities to have in mind the impact of their decisions within the wider Communion”.

In welcoming the Windsor Report at their meeting earlier this year, the Primates accepted its conclusion that these provinces had breached the bonds of communion. They therefore asked them to “voluntarily withdraw their members from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference” while they responded to the Report and noted they must “consider their place within the Anglican Communion”. The Primates also requested the ACC to organise a hearing at which representatives of the two provinces could “set out the thinking behind the recent actions of their Provinces”.

As ACC members prepare for that hearing, I commend this short briefing paper to them and to all who care for the unity and mission of our Communion. It helpfully expounds biblical and Anglican teaching on sexuality while also providing theological responses and posing challenging questions to some of the arguments that have already been advanced in defending recent divisive actions. In doing this it not only exemplifies the “need for courtesy, tolerance, mutual respect and prayer for one another” called for by the ACC when we discuss controversial issues, it also reminds us all that we need an ongoing and deeper hearing – to the voice of Christ, the living Word, by his Spirit, through his written word in the Scriptures."

+ Drexel Bahamas
Trinity 2005