Resolution on The Meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion

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(Preliminary draft of the resolution as passed at the 2007 Diocesan Convention)

Resolution on The Meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion
(adopted)

(submitted by the Reverend Dr. Francis H. Wade, Chair of the Diocesan Deputation to General Convention)

RESOLVED, that the One Hundred Twelfth Convention of the Diocese of Washington declares its respect for and support of the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Twenty-Sixth Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; and expresses its warm appreciation to the following Bishops from other nations for participating in her Service of Investiture held on November 4, 2006, at the Washington National Cathedral:

The Primate of Iglesia Anglicana de la region Central de America; The Primate of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil; The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; The Primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa; The Primate of the Anglican Church of Mexico; and the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion;

The retired Primate of the Scottish Episcopal Church;

Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia; the Scottish Episcopal Church; the Anglican Church of Canada; the Church of Pakistan; as well as others; and

The Archbishop of Canterbury; the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia; and the Primate of the Anglican Communion in Japan (Nippon Sei Ko Kai) who sent representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Convention expresses its hope that in spite of reports that some of her peers will refuse to meet with her, all of the Primates will provide our world and our Church with an example by responding positively to our Lord's desire that we be one as we work together to fulfill our common mission of witness and service; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Secretary of Convention be directed to send copies of this Resolution to the Archbishop of Canterbury and all of the Primates of the Anglican Communion on or before February 1, 2007.

Explanation: The Service of Investiture at the Cathedral was graced by the participation of over 30 representatives of the ecumenical and interfaith community and by the Primates and other representatives of the Anglican Communion identified in the first Resolved clause. Next month Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is scheduled to attend her first meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion in Tanzania , and we hope that they will all graciously welcome her to their ranks. According to a Reuters report released January 11, 2007 , however, a small number of the Primates have urged the Archbishop of Canterbury not to invite Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori to the meeting, and they have expressed their unwillingness to meet with her if she is invited. These actions are of deep concern to The Episcopal Church, which is entitled to select its own leader by its own processes and procedures, which were duly complied with in the selection of Bishop Jefferts Schori as the Twenty-Sixth Presiding Bishop. By reason of her position, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is entitled to respect not only from all members of The Episcopal Church but also from all members of the Anglican Communion, and especially the persons who hold positions of leadership. We pray that these individuals reconsider their announced intention and that, whatever their disagreements with decisions of The Episcopal Church, they join with other Primates in extending the hand of friendship to our leader and show her the respect she is due.