Easing into its meeting, the Panel first sought to consider the progress made so far. It highlighted the fact that since the Panel’s first meeting ten months ago, it has received three references from Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In the Panel’s first communiqué it stated that speed of response was an important factor, and that it would normally seek to offer responses to the Church of England head within six months of reference. Hence, reviewing progress has been put as a core priority by the Panel.
The Panel’s first reference came from the Diocese of Forth Worth in the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA). The Diocese does not ordain women to the priesthood, and has appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the grounds that it is in serious theological dispute with the Episcopal Church, which at its 72nd General Convention in 1997 passed canons to make the ordination of women mandatory, explains the Anglican Communion news service.
The Panel discussed its preliminary draft of its report, and hopes that after further consultation with parties, that its recommendations will be published in the near future.
A second reference has been submitted by the Diocese of Connecticut, also part of the ECUSA. The appeal came from six parishes calling out against the oversight of their Bishop.
However, in January 2006, civil proceedings were initiated in relation to the situation. The Panel decided last year, as a matter of principle, that it should not normally consider references where civil cases are proceeding.
The Anglican Communion news service commented on the matter: “The Panel is not a court, and its recommendations, which may be published with the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury, have moral and pastoral force. Civil proceedings should either have come to completion or be stayed if the work of the Panel is to have space in which to operate. On this basis, the Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn the reference to the Panel until such time as the matter of the civil cases has been resolved.”The third reference comes after an appeal by parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada. The appeal is one for alternative Episcopal oversight.
This reference was unable to proceed until March 2006 as the identity of applicants who wished to be named were established. Prior to this step the matter could not proceed.
However, since this was established the Panel has been able to create a preliminary draft of its report.
