Anglican Consultative Council

Anglican Consultative Council
Name	Anglican Consultative Council
Abbreviated	ACC
Formation	1968
Type	Religious organisation
Headquarters	London
Region served	Global Anglican Communion
Leader title	President
Leader name	Archbishop of Canterbury

Contents

Anglican Consultative Council is an international assembly within the Anglican Communion established to foster consultation among provinces and to promote cooperation among Church of England, The Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Australia, and other member churches such as the Church of Nigeria, Church of Uganda, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and Church of Ireland. Created after deliberations involving figures from Lambeth Conference, Anglican Communion Office, and discussions influenced by ecumenical bodies like the World Council of Churches and the Anglican–Methodist unity initiatives, it serves alongside institutions such as the Primates' Meeting and the Communion Instruments to coordinate policy, mission, and theological exchange among provinces including Episcopal Church in Scotland, Church in Wales, Anglican Church of Rwanda, Anglican Church of Kenya, and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui.

History

The Council originated from proposals advanced during exchanges among leaders at events such as the Lambeth Conference of 1968, consultations with the Anglican Communion Office, and conversations influenced by personalities like Michael Ramsey, John Stott, and representatives from provinces including Church of South India and Church of North India. Its founding followed meetings in the late 1960s and formal establishment through instruments agreed by provincial synods including the General Synod of the Church of England, General Convention, and assemblies of the Anglican Church of Australia. Over decades the Council addressed matters arising from global gatherings such as the Lambeth Conferences, the Primates' Meetings, controversies involving Gene Robinson and debates in Kampala, Uganda and Dublin, and shifts in polity among provinces like Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and Church of Bermuda.

Membership is drawn from ordained and lay representatives of provinces including Church of England, The Episcopal Church, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Australia, Church of Ireland, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Church of Uganda, Church of Pakistan, and Anglican Church of Kenya. The Council operates with an elected Chair and works in tandem with the Archbishop of Canterbury who presides in an ex officio capacity, and with secretariat functions performed by the Anglican Communion Office in Lambeth Palace, London. Committees reflect themes familiar to bodies like the World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches, covering mission, social justice, theological education, ecumenical relations, and communications akin to commissions within the Roman Catholic Church and Methodist Church. Representatives come from synods comparable to the General Synod of the Church of England and the General Convention and include bishops, clergy, and laity similar to structures in the Church of Scotland and Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Council facilitates consultation on matters affecting provinces such as pastoral responses considered in Lambeth Conference resolutions, ecumenical engagement with bodies like the World Council of Churches, and collaborations on mission initiatives akin to partnerships between Anglican Relief and Development Fund and agencies such as Christian Aid. It issues advisory resolutions and guidance on issues ranging from liturgy to human sexuality debated in venues like Dunblane Conference and policy discussions reminiscent of debates in the General Synod of the Church of England. Its authority is consultative rather than juridical, operating in a mode similar to the Primates' Meeting and distinct from provincial synodical authority such as in the General Convention or the General Synod of the Church of England.

Plenary meetings occur periodically in locations that have included Dublin, Windsor, Kampala, Lambeth Palace, and other international sites where delegates from provinces such as Church of Nigeria, Anglican Church of Australia, The Episcopal Church, Church of Ireland, and Anglican Church of Southern Africa convene. Resolutions have addressed controversies exemplified by the election of Gene Robinson and subsequent actions by Anglican realignment actors including Global Anglican Future Conference and GAFCON delegates, debates over blessing rites in Welsh Church, and pastoral guidelines cited in provincial canonical reforms seen in Church of England and Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The Council produces statements, pastoral advice, and reports that inform the work of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primates' Meeting, and provincial synods.

As one of the "instruments of communion" alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, and the Primates' Meeting, the Council mediates among provinces such as Church of Nigeria, The Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and Church of Uganda. It engages with ecumenical partners like the World Council of Churches and bilateral dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation, while interacting with networks such as GAFCON, Anglican Mainstream, and Continuing Anglican Movement. These relationships shape responses to theological controversies, mission strategies, and cross-jurisdictional pastoral arrangements including interventions similar to those seen in disputes involving Bishop Gene Robinson and reactions in provinces like Church of Nigeria and Church of Uganda.

Critics have argued that the Council's consultative role lacks enforceable authority when provinces such as The Episcopal Church or Anglican Church of Canada pursue policies at odds with more conservative provinces like Church of Nigeria and Church of Uganda, fueling movements like Anglican realignment and events such as GAFCON. Debates have centered on human sexuality, episcopal oversight exemplified by disputes following the consecration of Gene Robinson, and differing responses to social issues seen across provinces including Church of England and Anglican Church of Australia. Observers from organizations such as Institute on Religion and Democracy and commentators in venues linked to BBC and The Guardian have scrutinized the Council's effectiveness, while proponents compare its consensus-building role to consultative mechanisms in bodies like the World Council of Churches and argue for reform to address global diversity and authority within the Anglican Communion.

Category:Anglican Communion organizations