The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) Theological Resource Group (TRG) has recently issued a formal response to the St Andrew’s Covenant. This response, available at GAFCON’s official website, represents the authoritative stance of GAFCON on this matter.
GAFCON’s response highlights several key concerns regarding the proposed St Andrew’s Covenant.
Major Concerns
1. Doctrinal and Ethical Commitments
The primary concern revolves around the content and commitment of the covenant. GAFCON questions whether the covenant will adequately uphold the doctrinal and ethical standards set forth in the traditional Anglican formularies. There is a need for clarity on whether the covenant will robustly address and maintain unity on essential doctrinal issues.
2. Shift in Authority
Another significant issue is the shift in decision-making authority from the Primates to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). Traditionally, the Primates, who are elected heads of their respective churches (except for the Church of England), have played a central role in resolving contentious matters. The Lambeth Conferences of 1988 and 1998 had called for greater responsibility to be vested in the Primates on such issues. However, the current draft of the St Andrew’s Covenant appears to reverse this trend by assigning the ACC the responsibility for approving the final text of the covenant and determining the inclusion of churches in the Communion.
3. Role of the Lambeth Conference
It is also noted that while the Lambeth Conference serves as an instrument of communion, it does not have a decision-making role in finalizing the covenant. The ACC will be the ultimate authority on what the covenant will entail. Additionally, no bishop possesses the authority to accept the covenant on behalf of others; such decisions rest with the provinces, their synods, and houses of bishops.
Clarification and Apology
It should be noted that a briefing paper previously posted on the GAFCON website, which Dr. Andrew Goddard extensively critiqued, has since been removed. This document was intended as a resource for the TRG, comparing the St Andrew’s Draft with earlier theological reflections. Unfortunately, this paper was misidentified, and GAFCON extends its apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
GAFCON’s response underscores its commitment to ensuring that any new covenant aligns with traditional Anglican values and maintains the authority and unity of the Primates. The organization calls for a careful and thorough examination of the St Andrew’s Covenant to address these concerns effectively.
As the discussions around the St Andrew’s Covenant continue, GAFCON remains dedicated to upholding the principles of traditional Anglicanism and ensuring that any agreements reached support the doctrinal integrity and unity of the global Anglican Communion.