The Episcopal Church has international ecumenical responsibilities as a “constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer” (Constitution and Canons, Preamble.).
Lambeth Conference
As a sign of communion, bishops of the Episcopal Church join with bishops of the other thirty-seven Provinces and a small number of extra-provincial dioceses in the Lambeth Conference, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury as “first among equals” (primus inter pares). Lambeth makes possible common counsel and possible agreement on matters of concern to the whole Communion across cultural and linguistic differences. Official observers from other Christian World Communions participate: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. The Anglican family is ‘bound together not by a central legislative and executive authority, but by mutual loyalty sustained through common counsel of the Bishops in conference” (1930 Lambeth Conference). Resolutions of the Lambeth Conference are formally communicated to the Provinces for their consideration and for any such legislative action as may seem desirable to them. The resolutions have no juridical authority in any province save as the synod of the Province votes to adopt them, but there are moments when the Lambeth Conference has discerned, articulated, and formed the common mind of the Anglican Communion on important matters of faith and morals. In the end, the bishops have a special responsibility for guarding and promoting the apostolic faith, a responsibility which is theirs by ordination and office.
Anglican Consultative Council
Every two or three years a bishop, priest, and lay delegate elected by the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church participate in a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). This Council enables Anglicans to “fulfill their common inter-Anglican and ecumenical responsibilities in promoting the unity, renewal, and mission of Christ's Church” (1968 Lambeth Conference). The Archbishop of Canterbury is president of the Council, but the Council also elects a chair. The office of the Secretary General, on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Communion, plans and administers missionary strategy and ecumenical relations with other Christian World Communions. Episcopalians participating in the global dialogues are nominated by the Presiding Bishop and appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. An Ecumenical Advisory Group (ecumenical officers of Provinces and consultants) prepares agenda materials prior to meetings of the ACC and the Lambeth Conference. An Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Consultation works toward a common mind on important theological issues, and the Anglican Centre in Rome cultivates relations with the Roman Catholic Church. There is also an Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (IASCER) which meets annually to discuss the various ecumenical dialogues member provinces undertake.
Primates' Meeting
The Primates of the thirty-eight national or regional Provinces of the Anglican Communion meet periodically, again with the Archbishop of Canterbury presiding, to foster communion (koinonia) by helping the churches to listen to each other. The meeting provides an opportunity for careful reflection on mutual concerns and issues to enhance cohesion, understanding, and collaboration in the Anglican family.
Networks
Membership in the World Council of Churches gives the Episcopal Church its widest opportunity to participate in the life and mission of the whole oikoumene. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member, but sends delegated observers to major meetings and relates through a World Council - Vatican Joint Working Group. Episcopal Church delegates to assemblies of the World Council are appointed by the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council. A Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions (Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic) meets informally each year for consultation on ecumenical questions with each other and with representatives of the World Council of Churches.
Lambeth Conference
As a sign of communion, bishops of the Episcopal Church join with bishops of the other thirty-seven Provinces and a small number of extra-provincial dioceses in the Lambeth Conference, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury as “first among equals” (primus inter pares). Lambeth makes possible common counsel and possible agreement on matters of concern to the whole Communion across cultural and linguistic differences. Official observers from other Christian World Communions participate: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. The Anglican family is ‘bound together not by a central legislative and executive authority, but by mutual loyalty sustained through common counsel of the Bishops in conference” (1930 Lambeth Conference). Resolutions of the Lambeth Conference are formally communicated to the Provinces for their consideration and for any such legislative action as may seem desirable to them. The resolutions have no juridical authority in any province save as the synod of the Province votes to adopt them, but there are moments when the Lambeth Conference has discerned, articulated, and formed the common mind of the Anglican Communion on important matters of faith and morals. In the end, the bishops have a special responsibility for guarding and promoting the apostolic faith, a responsibility which is theirs by ordination and office.
Anglican Consultative Council
Every two or three years a bishop, priest, and lay delegate elected by the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church participate in a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). This Council enables Anglicans to “fulfill their common inter-Anglican and ecumenical responsibilities in promoting the unity, renewal, and mission of Christ's Church” (1968 Lambeth Conference). The Archbishop of Canterbury is president of the Council, but the Council also elects a chair. The office of the Secretary General, on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Communion, plans and administers missionary strategy and ecumenical relations with other Christian World Communions. Episcopalians participating in the global dialogues are nominated by the Presiding Bishop and appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. An Ecumenical Advisory Group (ecumenical officers of Provinces and consultants) prepares agenda materials prior to meetings of the ACC and the Lambeth Conference. An Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Consultation works toward a common mind on important theological issues, and the Anglican Centre in Rome cultivates relations with the Roman Catholic Church. There is also an Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (IASCER) which meets annually to discuss the various ecumenical dialogues member provinces undertake.
Primates' Meeting
The Primates of the thirty-eight national or regional Provinces of the Anglican Communion meet periodically, again with the Archbishop of Canterbury presiding, to foster communion (koinonia) by helping the churches to listen to each other. The meeting provides an opportunity for careful reflection on mutual concerns and issues to enhance cohesion, understanding, and collaboration in the Anglican family.
Networks
Membership in the World Council of Churches gives the Episcopal Church its widest opportunity to participate in the life and mission of the whole oikoumene. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member, but sends delegated observers to major meetings and relates through a World Council - Vatican Joint Working Group. Episcopal Church delegates to assemblies of the World Council are appointed by the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council. A Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions (Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic) meets informally each year for consultation on ecumenical questions with each other and with representatives of the World Council of Churches.
