AAC COMMENDS WILLIAMS FOR HIS SUPPORT ON NEW ORTHODOX EPISCOPAL NETWORK AND AEO

February 10, 2004

The American Anglican Council (AAC) is pleased to learn of the sympathetic reaction that the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes received from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, in his General Synod address yesterday. We are also encouraged that Archbishop Williams spoke of ongoing conversations and work with "several parties" regarding "some sort of shared future and common witness, so far as possible." This acknowledgement of work with representatives of the Network and the American Anglican Council to help map the direction of North American Anglicanism as well as "to make adequate provision for Episcopal oversight" clearly refutes statements from ECUSA leaders implying no such discussions have occurred.

We applaud Archbishop Williams' remarks affirming his commitment to adequate provision for Episcopal oversight. His vision is consistent with that of the Anglican Primates (as outlined in their October 2003 statement), the new Network and the American Anglican Council, and not with the leadership of ECUSA and their proposal for "supplemental pastoral care."

The Archbishop's statement offers much needed clarity as the American Anglican Council moves forward with plans to provide Adequate Episcopal Oversight (AEO) to beleaguered congregations in the Episcopal Church.

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