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Among the most recent developments is one which I feel not only questions the future ecclesiological scene in Anglicanism but illustrates much of the concerns contained in the Windsor Report. The Anglican Church of Nigeria has announced changes to its Constitution. Originally its Constitution stated that "the Church of Nigeria shall be in communion with the See of Canterbury and with all the dioceses, provinces and regional churches which are in full communion with the See of Canterbury." This wording is now superseded by the omission of reference to the See of Canterbury and speaks of communion with "all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the historic Faith, Sacrament and Discipline of the one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church." This wording not only removes what the Windsor Report described as "the pivotal" role of the Archbishop of Canterbury as the instrument of unity but perhaps of greater significance challenges the concept of Communion as understood throughout Anglican history. Acceptance of an individual Province's view of orthodoxy becomes the basis for relationship. Further the revision of its Constitution states that in all questions of interpretation of faith and doctrine the decision of the Church of Nigeria shall be final. As a Primate of the Anglican Communion I find the implications of this revision most serious. Am I alone in interpreting such wording as the removal of established bonds of communion and their replacement by a Provincial-only wide authority which will set its own criteria for whoever or whatever it considers worthy of a communion relationship? If this is so I find it is in direct conflict with much of the contents of the Windsor Report but more importantly in conflict with what I term 'the Windsor spirit.' Further I feel it is in direct contrast to the stand taken by the Primates of our Communion in their Dromantine communiqué. Windsor appealed for a Communion-wide process which contained corporate striving to find the Will of God in contentious and divisive issues. Windsor was not a Report in isolation. It envisaged a process. Localised Provincial authority based on the cultural and historical experiences of one Province were not advocated as part of that process. In contrast to this development I took encouragement from the reported remarks of the Bishop of Egypt: "After the unilateral action of ECUSA, all African bishops accepted the Windsor Report as the way ahead. This remains the right process and should not be delayed, nor anticipated unilaterally." I have to add to these concerns the views of Windsor on the threat to communion of cross-provincial interventions, in cases where parishes are opposed to their diocesan bishop, without agreement and co-operation. This equal threat to 'bonds of affection' is illustrated by Nigeria's intention to establish "Convocations and Chaplaincies" outside Nigeria to cater for "like-minded faithful." Again this intention cuts across the agreed statement at Dromantine by the Primates which placed a moratorium on cross-provincial interventions. Placed in its Provincial context it is arguable that such developments as this in one of our numerically strongest Churches can be understood on grounds of frustration, alienation and bewilderment. But placed in the context of the Communion at large I feel concern as to its implications for other Anglican entities. It raises questions of principle – it underlines the need to find that level and agreed playing field for which I have appealed. It also has something to say about contemporary understandings of 'bonds of affection' and 'relationships'. The path ahead for all of us is difficult to predict. Perhaps my final plea as I look to the road-map for our Communion is one other aspect of the 'big picture'. What is all our division and argument doing to the first priority given to the Body of Christ – the witness to a Gospel of salvation, compassion and care for a world of desperate need. At the end of the day if that priority suffers much more will be at stake than internal differences among those who "would seek the face of Christ." ENS 101205-1 |