In a recent interview, Bishop Martyn Minns from the Anglican Church in North America, who serves on the Secretariat of the GAFCON Primate’s Council, addressed questions about the GAFCON leaders’ stance on the Anglican Covenant.
Q: Bishop Minns, what do GAFCON leaders view as the critical issue with the Anglican Covenant?
Minns: The core issue is a lack of trust. Previous decisions and documents have not been honored, leading to significant mistrust in the process. Additionally, the role of the Standing Committee in implementing the covenant has caused concern. One Primate even questioned the point of continuing, given that prior agreements and documents have not been respected.
Q: Do you think the covenant is insufficiently punitive?
Minns: It’s not a matter of being punitive. Rather, the covenant has been diluted. The process and content have shifted from the Primates to the Standing Committee, which remains unclear. The problem lies in a breakdown of trust from previous discussions, not in any punitive measures.
Q: Why did GAFCON release its statement rejecting the covenant just as the General Synod was debating it?
Minns: The timing was purely coincidental. Our goal was to ensure that all involved had ample time to review and agree on the document. The release happened to coincide with the Synod, but there was no deliberate attempt to time it that way.
Q: Some critics suggest that GAFCON’s approach was tactical or manipulative. How do you respond to that?
Minns: That claim is not accurate. Coordinating such a statement at a precise moment is impractical. After careful review and consideration, we were ready to release it. Most involved had no knowledge of the Synod’s timing.
Q: Archbishop Rowan Williams has worked hard to advance this covenant. Does this rejection undermine his efforts?
Minns: There’s no personal animosity towards Archbishop Rowan. The process has been lengthy, and the real issue is a lack of trust and engagement with the Global South, not a slight against him personally.
Q: What would encourage you to further engage with this process?
Minns: Rebuilding trust by honoring past decisions and documents would be key. The foundation of trust needs to be re-established.
Q: Do you think the Anglican Communion is moving towards a two-tiered structure?
Minns: I wouldn’t describe it as two-tiered. Rather, the structure is evolving from a colonial model to a more global network. It will become less hierarchical and more interconnected.
Q: With liberals and conservatives both struggling with the covenant, does this signal the end for the Anglican Communion?
Minns: Not at all. The Anglican Communion has a significant global impact and is thriving in many areas. The issue is not the Communion’s health but its outdated institutional structure. Change is challenging, but it is necessary for the Communion’s continued effectiveness.
Q: Was rejecting the covenant GAFCON’s intention from the start?
Minns: No, initially, GAFCON members were involved in drafting the covenant. It was not our original intention to reject it.
Q: When did GAFCON leaders and Primates realize the covenant was unacceptable?
Minns: It was not a single moment but an ongoing realization over time.
Q: Will GAFCON Primates refuse to attend the next Primates Meeting of the Anglican Communion?
Minns: Yes, as stated in the recent communiqué, many GAFCON Primates, along with others from the Global South, have indicated they will not attend the next meeting.
This interview sheds light on the nuanced views of GAFCON leaders and their evolving stance on the Anglican Covenant.