Archdeacon Hendra presented an interim report from a review group which was asked to review the Terms of Reference of ACNAC. The group has agreed that the links provided through ACNAC are valued, however it is questioning ECUSA's interest. It would be irresponsible to dissolve ACNAC without a substitute, but the group has no alternative suggestions at this time.
The Inter-Church and Inter-Faith Relations Committee recommended the reinstatement of the allocation to ACNAC in the 1987 Program Budget.
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That this recommendation from the Inter-Church and Inter-Faith Relations Committee be referred to the Program Committee for information. CARRIED #65-11-86
Archdeacon Hendra presented an interim report from a review group which was asked to review the Terms of Reference of ACNAC [Anglican Council of North America and the Caribbean]. The group has agreed that the links provided through ACNAC are valued, however it is questioning ECUSA's interest. It would be irresponsible to dissolve ACNAC without a substitute, but the group has no alternative suggestions at this time.
The Inter-Church and Inter-Faith Relations Committee recommended the reinstatement of the allocation to ACNAC in the 1987 Program Budget.
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That this recommendation from the Inter-Church and Inter-Faith Relations Committee be referred to the Program Committee for information. CARRIED #65-11-86
1. That this General Synod request each diocese to examine their financial property and people resources with the intent of developing practical responses to increase the affordable and appropriate housing supply in the light of the urgent need of affordable and appropriate housing across Canada for low income and homeless families, single parents and singles.
2. That each diocese request their parishes to examine the quality of their Christian community life by exploring ways of involving and supporting those who are all too often excluded in our society and church: the homeless, the unemployed, the deinstitutionalized, the hungry.
3. That this General Synod encourage diocesan bishops to use their office to support, ecumenically and politically, the development of housing programs.
4. That this General Synod encourage all members of the Anglican Church of Canada - (a) to support affordable and appropriate housing programs when exercising their political responsibilities; and (b) to examine their own property and its use in the light of the Biblical injunction to offer hospitality to the stranger.
5. That responses to the above resolution be encouraged, supported and publicized by the National Program Committee, its staff and members. CARRIED IN ALL ORDERS Act 67
In view of the fact that Anglican representatives on the Church Council on Justice and Corrections, had tried to resolve problems with the Council, without success, it was felt that disengagement would be the best step.
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That the National Executive Council support the principle of disengagement of the Anglican Church of Canada from the Church Council on Justice and Corrections. CARRIED #06-05-88
That the following statement from the National Executive Council be forwarded by the Primate to the Officers of the General Synod of the Church of England:
This National Executive Council of the Anglican Church of Canada expresses its sadness and regret at the recent decision by the General Synod of the Church of England not to permit women ordained as priests in this Province to exercise their sacramental ministry within the Church of England.
We acknowledge and respect the right and responsibility of churches within the Anglican Communion to make decisions concerning the ordering of ministry within their own structures. However, we express the hope that the same respect could be extended to the Anglican Church of Canada which has enjoyed the ministry of women in the priesthood since 1976.
We believe the process by which the ordering of ministry is decided by an autonomous Province need not be linked to the recognition of those persons already ordained by another Province. The mutual recognition of ministry within the Anglican Communion is a separate issue from the ordination of women in the Church of England, and calls for independent consideration.
In our view, the decision by the Church of England to deny the exercise of sacramental ministry, with the consent of the diocesan bishop, to some priests ordained in our church raises questions about the validity of the orders of all priests in our church. It also constitutes a challenge to episcopal ministry in our country.
Such a decision threatens the unity of the Anglican Communion by extending the privilege of ecclesiastical hospitality to some of our clergy and not to others. Sadly for us both, a result of this may well be the unwillingness of many Canadian bishops and priests to accept invitations to celebrate the eucharist in England until such hospitality is restored.
We draw attention to Act 65 of the 1986 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada which:
a) affirms our positive experience in Canada with women in priesthood;
b) urges our bishops to carry to the Lambeth Conference our conviction that the priesthood of women has indeed blessed and enriched our common life; and
c) asks the Lambeth Conference to search for a way of upholding the unity of the church while allowing Provinces to move, as appropriate for them to the election and ordination of women to the episcopate in response to the call of God and the church.
This statement is made out of deep concern for the integrity of the body of Christ, in which we rejoice, and for the mutual recognition of ministries within our Communion, which we wish both to extend to others and to claim for ourselves. CARRIED #79-11-86
New work of a Unit on Communications would be to have oversight of the communications policy of General Synod, to co-ordinate work in specific areas such as television, computers, media and new technologies, to advise staff on appropriate program activities, and to support opportunities for consultation with the dioceses on communications and resources. Budget implications are estimated at $85,000.
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That the proposal for a new Unit on Communications be approved. CARRIED #26-11-86
Notes
A financial statement from the Canadian Interfaith Network should be made available to members of the National Executive Council.
That this interim form of service for Holy Baptism be referred back to the Doctrine and Worship Committee for further work in consultation with the House of Bishops. CARRIED ACT 64