The Auckland Diocesan Synod yesterday decided that Clause 4.2 in the proposed Anglican Covenant is contrary to Anglican ecclesiology.

Accordingly, Synod is asking General Synod/te Hinota Whanui to bring a motion to next year's meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council affirming that full membership of the Anglican Communion is not conditional on adoption of the Covenant.

The full motion says:

That this Synod,

1. Noting that the General Synod/te Hinota Whanui has approved in principle Sections 1-3 of the proposed Anglican Covenant, and asked Episcopal Units to respond to its 2012 Session; and

Noting that some other Episcopal Units have already rejected the proposed Covenant, and anticipates that the various Episcopal Units will express a variety of views on the proposed Covenant,

Resolves as follows:

(a) Sections 1 & 2 of the proposed Anglican Covenant may be considered to be a useful starting point for consideration of our Anglican understanding of the Church.

(b) Section 3 of the proposed Covenant contains an acceptable description of the basis for relationships between the churches of the Anglican Communion, and suggests a series of commitments that provide a useful framework within which churches of the Communion could discuss differences between them.

(c) Clause 4.2 of the proposed Covenant contains provisions that are contrary to our understanding of Anglican ecclesiology as a communion of churches held together by ‘bonds of affection’, contrary to our understanding of the way of Christ, and is therefore unacceptable to this Synod.

2.   Asks General Synod/te Hinota Whanui:

(a) Not to adopt the proposed Covenant.

(b) To commit itself by Standing Resolution to following processes similar to those set out in Section 3 of the proposed Covenant if another church of the Communion raises concerns about actions this Church takes or considers taking.

(b) To request its representatives to the Anglican Consultative Council to bring a motion to the 2012 meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council to affirm the desire of our Church to remain as a full member of the Communion, and to affirm that full membership of the Anglican Communion is not conditional on adoption of the proposed Covenant.

Mover: The Rev Glynn Cardy                   Seconder: The Rev Edward Prebble