Press Release: The American Anglican Council Commends Bold Kigali Communiqué Issued by Global South Primates
September 22, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Cynthia P. Brust

Global South Primates pledged bold intervention to address the crisis within the Anglican Communion at their meeting Sept. 19-22, 2006 in Kigali, Rwanda. Noting the “slow response from the Panel of Reference” for congregations and dioceses requesting alternative oversight, Global South Primates agreed in this week’s meeting to a three-pronged action plan designed to support biblically faithful Anglican dioceses and congregations in North America, commending them for their “courage and consistent witness.” The communiqué outlines plans for alternative primatial oversight, the Anglican Communion Primates meeting in February 2007, and the formation of a new ecclesiastical structure in the United States.

According to the communiqué, the Global South Steering Committee has been charged to “investigate their appeal in greater detail and to develop a proposal identifying the ways by which the requested Primatial oversight can be adequately provided.” Noting that some Primates will not recognize Katharine Jefferts Schori as a Primate and that others will be “in impaired communion with her as a representative of The Episcopal Church,” the Global South Primates propose that another bishop be chosen by biblically faithful dioceses, congregations and clergy to represent them at the 2007 Primates meeting. Finally, the Global South Steering Committee, in consultation with the Anglican Instruments of Unity, will develop a proposal for formation of “what will be recognized as a separate ecclesiastical structure of the Anglican Communion in the USA.”

“The Kigali Communiqué is an action plan attesting to the Global South’s visionary leadership in a time of chaos and crisis in our beloved Communion,” said the Rev. Canon David C. Anderson, American Anglican Council (AAC) President and CEO. “It is sure to inspire and encourage biblically faithful Anglicans in North America—this is what we have hoped and prayed for since 2003.”

The Kigali gathering, representing over 70 percent of the Anglican Communion’s active membership, affirmed its commitment to the “abiding truth” of Scripture, to proclamation of the Gospel, and to the Anglican Communion as “part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” In addition, the Primates pledged to celebrate and protect Anglican identity as well as support an Anglican Covenant.

Canon Anderson commended the Global South for these components of the communiqué: “The Primates are moving beyond temporary intervention to create long-term solutions such as a covenant and a new ecclesiastical structure, while consistently affirming the authority of Scripture and apostolic faith,” he said.

The Global South meeting was hosted by Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini and the Anglican Province of Rwanda, whose Christian witness has contributed to the post-genocide healing of that nation. Noting that Rwanda was “abandoned by the world” as genocide raged, Global South Primates pledged, “Never Again.” The Primates also emphasized the devastating results of political unrest, particularly in Darfur, Sudan, and urged the Anglican Communion and the international community to “stand in solidarity with the men, women and children” in Darfur.

“The primary focus of the Kigali meeting was the ongoing work of Christ’s mission and ministry in the midst of enormous challenges, including HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty, and dangerous conflicts in the Global South,” Canon Anderson said. “It is humbling that they have chosen to offer their unwavering support for us as they gathered to discuss such critical issues in their own provinces.”

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