A051: GWG-6 Providing canonical recognition for the roles of the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Sacred Circle. (carried)
Download resolution A051
Governance Working Group – 6
Subject: Providing canonical recognition for the roles of the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Sacred Circle.
Moved by: Canon Dr. Randall Fairey, Diocese of Kootenay
Seconded by: The Ven. Sidney Black, Diocese of Calgary
Be it resolved that this General Synod enact Canon XXII as follows:
CANON XXII
THE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MINISTRY
The origin of this Canon is the Covenant made by the participants at the 1994 Journey of Spiritual Renewal sponsored by the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples:
“…We acknowledge that God is calling us to a prayerful dialogue towards self-determination for us, the Indigenous Peoples, within the Anglican Communion in Canada. Through this new relationship we can better respond to the challenges facing us in a relevant and meaningful way….
“We, representatives of the Indigenous people of the Anglican Church of Canada, meeting in Winnipeg from the 23 to 26 April 1994, pledge ourselves to this covenant for the sake of our people and in trust of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ:
“Under the guidance of God’s spirit we agree to do all that we can to call our people into unity in a new, self determining community within the Anglican Church of Canada.
“To this end we extend the hand of partnership to all those who will help us build a truly Anglican Indigenous Church in Canada.
“May God bless this vision and give us grace to accomplish it.”
The purpose of this Canon is to provide canonical recognition of structures through which the National Indigenous Ministry may be a self determining community within the Anglican Church of Canada.
1. The National Indigenous Anglican Bishop
The National Indigenous Anglican Bishop (NIAB) has a pastoral episcopal relationship with all indigenous ministries in the Anglican Church of Canada. This role is exercised in co-operation with diocesan bishops, who may delegate authority to the NIAB.
The NIAB is a member of the Sacred Circle, the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the House of Bishops, General Synod and the Council of the North.
2. The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) consists of representatives from dioceses where significant Indigenous ministry is taking place, the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop (who is the ACIP liaison with the Council of the North and the House of Bishops), and additional members as determined by ACIP.
ACIP maintains relationships with the House of Bishops, General Synod, the Council of General Synod, the Council of the North, and the Anglican Indigenous Network.
ACIP organizes the Sacred Circles.
3. The Sacred Circle
The Sacred Circles have met approximately every three years since 1988.
The Sacred Circles are organized by ACIP. Invitations are sent to each of the known First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous ministries in the Anglican Church to send 1 clergy, 1 elder and 1 youth representative. The Primate and the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop are full participants. Invitations are also generally sent to the bishops from the Council of the North dioceses and the diocese in which the Sacred Circle is being held (if not otherwise included), as well as a small number of partners.
The date and location of the meeting of the Sacred Circle are determined by ACIP.
The Sacred Circle performs many of the functions of a “Synod” for the indigenous ministries: it provides an opportunity for representatives of the indigenous communities to come together to worship, to discuss, and to communicate with the broader Church.
4. Organization of Indigenous Ministries
Currently, the Indigenous ministries all operate within existing dioceses. In addition to their diocesan bishop, they may have a pastoral relationship with the National Indigenous Anglican bishop.
Some Indigenous area ministries have expressed an interest in having their own episcopal oversight—whether as part of their existing dioceses, or by becoming a separate diocese altogether. These developments will take place over time, and can be accommodated by changes to the existing constitutional and canonical structures.
EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The purpose of this resolution is to incorporate the roles of the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, and the Sacred Circle into the constitutional framework of General Synod.
PROCEDURE REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION
In accordance with section 11(b) of the Declaration of Principles, this resolution must be approved by two-thirds majority in each Order voting at one session of General Synod.