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Following is the text of the Primates Statement: (Click here for our presiding bishop's letter)

Thursday, February 24, 2005
Primates' Meeting communiqué

The Primates’ Meeting, February 2005
Communiqué

1. As Primates of the Anglican Communion and Moderators of the United
Churches, we gathered at the Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre,
Newry, in Northern Ireland, between 20th and 25th February, 2005, at the
invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Thirty-five
of us were present at this meeting. We are extremely grateful for the
warmth of the welcome to Dromantine that we have received from members of
the Roman Catholic Society of African Missions who run the Retreat Centre,
and from the Church of Ireland, and especially the Primate of All Ireland,
the Most Revd Robin Eames and Lady Eames, who have been our hosts.

2. Our meeting was held within the context of common prayer and worship,
including Evensong at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, when we were formally
welcomed to the Church of Ireland. On the Monday and Tuesday mornings, we
spent time in Bible Study, prayer and silent retreat, led by the Archbishop
of Canterbury on the Lenten theme of the Three Temptations of Christ. He
reminded us that it was our duty as Christian leaders to begin by listening
to God, before going on to listen to one another. We thank God that our
meeting has been characterised by generosity of spirit, and a readiness to
respect one another’s integrity, with Christian charity and abundant
goodwill.

3. The meeting opened with reports from the Provinces most affected by the
recent tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean and the works of relief
undertaken by Anglican churches. We offered prayers for the victims, and
for the ongoing work of reconstruction and relief being undertaken across
the entire rim of the Indian Ocean, particularly in the Province of South
East Asia, East Africa, the Indian Ocean, and South India and in the Church
of Ceylon.

4. The most pressing business facing the Primates’ Meeting was consideration
of the Windsor Report 2004, in which the Lambeth Commission on Communion
had offered its recommendations on the future life of the Anglican Communion
in the light of developments in Anglican life in North America.

5. We reflected for many hours on the recommendations of the Windsor Report;
listening first to Archbishop Robin Eames, who introduced the work of the
Lambeth Commission, which he had chaired, and then to Primus Bruce Cameron
of the Scottish Episcopal Church, who took up the work that Archbishop Peter
Kwong had begun with the Reception Reference Group. We considered a
careful analysis of the 322 responses which this group had received from
around the Anglican Communion, and which offered a high measure of general
support for the recommendations of the Windsor Report, despite some
expressions of concern in relation to matters of detail.

6. We then proceeded to our own reflections on these responses. There are a
number of things which are quite clear. Many primates have been deeply
alarmed that the standard of Christian teaching on matters of human
sexuality expressed in the 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10, which should
command respect as the position overwhelmingly adopted by the bishops of the
Anglican Communion, has been seriously undermined by the recent developments
in North America. At the same time, it is acknowledged that these
developments within the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of
Canada have proceeded entirely in accordance with their constitutional
processes and requirements. We also wish to make it quite clear that in
our discussion and assessment of the moral appropriateness of specific human
behaviours, we continue unreservedly to be committed to the pastoral support
and care of homosexual people. The victimisation or diminishment of human
beings whose affections happen !
to be ordered towards people of the same sex is anathema to us. We assure
homosexual people that they are children of God, loved and valued by him,
and deserving of the best we can give of pastoral care and friendship.

7. We welcome the general thrust of the Windsor Report as offering a way
forward for the mutual life of our Communion, and commend the following
conclusions for dealing with the differences of opinion which have opened up
amongst us.

8. We believe that the Windsor Report offers in its Sections A & B an
authentic description of the life of the Anglican Communion, and the
principles by which its life is governed and sustained. While we believe
that many elements of this account offer a picture of what is ideal, rather
than what is currently actually experienced, we accept the description
offered in Sections A & B of the Windsor Report as the way in which we would
like to see the life of the Anglican Communion developed, as we respond in
faithful discipleship to Christ. These sections speak of the central place
Anglicans accord to the authority of scripture, and of
“autonomy-in-communion” as the balanced exercise of the inter-dependence
between the thirty-eight Provinces and their legitimate provincial autonomy
We therefore request all provinces to consider whether they are willing to
be committed to the inter-dependent life of the Anglican Communion
understood in the terms set out in these sections of !
the report.

9. We welcome the proposals in Section C for the future development of the
Instruments of Unity, although we recognise that serious questions about
the content of the proposal for an Anglican Covenant and the practicalities
of its implementation mean that this is a longer term process. We were glad
to be reminded of the extensive precedents for covenants that many Anglican
churches have established with ecumenical partners, and that even within our
Communion the Chicago/Lambeth Quadrilateral has already been effectively
operating as a form of covenant that secures our basic commitment to
scripture, the Nicene Creed, the two Sacraments of the Gospel and the
Historic Episcopate. We therefore commend this proposal as a project that
should be given further consideration in the Provinces of the Communion
between now and the Lambeth Conference 2008. In addition, we ask the
Archbishop of Canterbury to explore ways of implementing this.

10. We also have further questions concerning the development of the role of
the Archbishop of Canterbury, and of a Council of Advice. While we welcome
the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury as that of one who can speak to
us as primus inter pares about the realities we face as a Communion, we are
cautious of any development which would seem to imply the creation of an
international jurisdiction which could override our proper provincial
autonomy. We ask the Archbishop of Canterbury to explore ways of consulting
further on these matters.

11. We accept the principle articulated in Section D of the Windsor Report
concerning the universal nature of the ministry of a bishop within Anglican
polity. Although formidable practical problems would attend any formal
process of wider consultation in the election and confirmation of bishops,
we request that Provinces should themselves find an appropriate place for
the proper consideration of the principle of inter-dependence in any process
of election or confirmation.

12. We as a body continue to address the situations which have arisen in
North America with the utmost seriousness. Whilst there remains a very real
question about whether the North American churches are willing to accept the
same teaching on matters of sexual morality as is generally accepted
elsewhere in the Communion, the underlying reality of our communion in God
the Holy Trinity is obscured, and the effectiveness of our common mission
severely hindered.

13. We are persuaded however that in order for the recommendations of the
Windsor Report to be properly addressed, time needs to be given to the
Episcopal Church (USA) and to the Anglican Church of Canada for
consideration of these recommendations according to their constitutional
processes.

14. Within the ambit of the issues discussed in the Windsor Report and in
order to recognise the integrity of all parties, we request that the
Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada voluntarily
withdraw their members from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period
leading up to the next Lambeth Conference. During that same period we
request that both churches respond through their relevant constitutional
bodies to the questions specifically addressed to them in the Windsor Report
as they consider their place within the Anglican Communion. (cf. paragraph
8)

15. In order to protect the integrity and legitimate needs of groups in
serious theological dispute with their diocesan bishop, or dioceses in
dispute with their Provinces, we recommend that the Archbishop of Canterbury
appoint, as a matter of urgency, a panel of reference to supervise the
adequacy of pastoral provisions made by any churches for such members in
line with the recommendation in the Primates’ Statement of October 2003.
Equally, during this period we commit ourselves neither to encourage nor to
initiate cross-boundary interventions.

16. Notwithstanding the request of paragraph 14 of this communiqué, we
encourage the Anglican Consultative Council to organise a hearing at its
meeting in Nottingham, England, in June 2005 at which representatives of the
Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada, invited for that
specific purpose, may have an opportunity to set out the thinking behind the
recent actions of their Provinces, in accordance with paragraph 141 of the
Windsor Report.

17. In reaffirming the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution 1.10 as the
present position of the Anglican Communion, we pledge ourselves afresh to
that resolution in its entirety, and request the Anglican Consultative
Council in June 2005 to take positive steps to initiate the listening and
study process which has been the subject of resolutions not only at the
Lambeth Conference in 1998, but in earlier Conferences as well.

18. In the meantime, we ask our fellow primates to use their best influence
to persuade their brothers and sisters to exercise a moratorium on public
Rites of Blessing for Same-sex unions and on the consecration of any bishop
living in a sexual relationship outside Christian marriage.

19. These strategies are intended to restore the full trust of our bonds of
affection across the Communion.

20. In the second half of our meeting we addressed some issues of practical
ministry which have been on our agenda now for the last couple of years. We
received a report of the present situation in relation to the ministry of
African churches in particular amongst people living with HIV/AIDS; the
dying, the bereaved, and orphaned children. We noted that this serious
challenge is faced by all of our churches. We now accept, however, that our
concerns must be broadened to include those suffering from TB and malaria.
We know that this year 3 million people will die of AIDS, 2 million of TB,
and 1 million of malaria. We have also been called to support the General
Secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and world leaders in developing
effective strategies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
by 2015. In addition to the commitment to combat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria,
these MDGs include reducing absolute poverty by half and reducing hunger by
half by 20!
15. In the longer term we must eradicate both. Other MDGs include lowering
child mortality and improving maternal health, universal primary education,
access to clear drinking water, and the building of sustainable development
partnerships between rich and poor. Accordingly we call upon the people of
God in all the Provinces of our Communion to encourage leaders of government
to pursue these goals with vigour, and to pray for the strengthening of
their resolve to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

21. Two whole sessions of our meeting were devoted to the important work of
the discernment of theological truth and the development and improvement of
theological education through the sharing of resources across the Communion
The Archbishop of Canterbury has identified this as a priority concern
during the period of his leadership. The work of TEAC (Theological
Education for the Anglican Communion) which was established at our meeting
in Kanuga in 2001 was reviewed, including the four separate Target Groups
which are now engaged with the development of specific education and
training programmes for bishops; for priests and transitional deacons; for
vocational deacons, catechists and licensed lay readers; and for the laity.
In all this particular attention is being paid to the distinctively Anglican
component in theological education. This mandate is of concern because some
theological education across the Communion needs to take more account of
Anglican history, formu!
laries or spirituality. The discernment and definition of the “Anglican
Way” is being intentionally pursued by a dedicated Target Group. It is
planned to hold a Consultation for theological educators later this year in
Canterbury, and it is anticipated that this work will be a significant item
of consideration at the Lambeth Conference in 2008.

22. Our common commitment to the pursuit of projects such as these, together
with our recent very positive experience of close practical co-operation in
response to the tsunami disaster, convince us of the enormous importance of
our shared work together as Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Indeed, in
the course of our meeting, we have become even more mindful of the
indissoluble link between Christian unity and Christian mission, as this is
expressed in Jesus’ own prayer that his disciples should be one that the
world may believe (John 17.21). Accordingly, we pray for the continuing
blessing of God’s unity and peace as we recommit ourselves to the mission of
the Anglican Communion, which we share with the whole people of God, in the
transformation of our troubled world.

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your
mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.2)

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave
us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5.18)

Full text with footnotes found at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_58743_ENG_HTM.htm

A word from the Presiding Bishop
Friday, February 25, 2005
[Episcopal News Service]
The primates of the Anglican Communion and Moderators of the
United Churches have met together in Northern Ireland to address
common concerns and to share something of our lives and
ministries in our own widely different contexts.
We have carefully studied the Windsor Report and how we
might best be a communion in the midst of the deep differences
which have been brought into sharp relief around the subject of
homosexuality. I leave Ireland grateful that we as primates have
done our very best to find a way forward and to avoid creating an
unproductive situation of winners and losers.
These days have not been easy for any of us and the
communiqué we issued gives some sense of our meeting and how we
have struggled together. The communiqué is the fruit of a great
deal of prayer and reflects our mutual desire to move forward
together.
As the communiqué was written with a view to making room
for a wide variety of perspectives it is inevitable that no one
will be pleased with all aspects of it. Some will not be pleased
with the request from the primates (paragraph 14) that the
Episcopal Church, along with the Anglican Church of Canada,
"voluntarily withdraw" our members from the Anglican Consultative
Council "for the period leading up to the next Lambeth
Conference." This request, together with the opportunity for a
hearing with the Anglican Consultative Council (paragraph 16),
gives space for speaking and listening. During this time the
Episcopal Church will be responding to the questions addressed to
us in the Windsor Report, as the primates have requested.
We will have the opportunity to speak out of the truth of
our experience. I welcome this opportunity knowing that the
Episcopal Church has sought to act with integrity in response to
the Spirit, and that we have worked, and continue to work, to
honor the different perspectives very much present within our
church. Also during this time, the Anglican Consultative Council
will be listening with care to what we have to say.
The primates discussed the importance of pastoral care for
all members of our Anglican Communion and have spoken clearly to
the matter (paragraph 15). I very much welcome the
recommendation to the Archbishop of Canterbury that he appoint a
"panel of reference to supervise the adequacy of pastoral
provisions" for "groups in serious theological dispute with their
diocesan bishop, or dioceses in dispute with their Provinces..."
The bishops of the Episcopal Church are committed to the
provision of such pastoral care to those of various perspectives
and have established a means of being certain it is provided
which is described in Caring for all the Churches: Delegated
Episcopal Pastoral Oversight. I am also pleased by the commitment
made by the primates "neither to encourage nor to initiate
cross-boundary violations."
The communiqué notes that our meeting was "characterised by
generosity of spirit, and a readiness to respect one another's
integrity, with Christian charity and abundant goodwill." I have
faith and confidence in the many ways in which the mystery of
communion is lived among us.
I am grateful that bonds of understanding and affection
bind us together and call us to an ever deeper and more costly
living out of the reconciliation brought about by Jesus through
the Cross.
Again this week it was revealed that so much more unites us
than divides us.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA

Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church
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(505) 662-5107

Website: www.latoth.org