As shared, this was a critical meeting in terms of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Among the works of the Primates was the matter of the actions of our General Conventions of 2003 and 2006, and this included the General Convention 2006 response to the Windsor Report.

On a personal note, and as shared with the assembled Primates, I was humbled, and yet honoured, to be invited to be there with them. The trip to Dar es Salaam was long, and was made bearing a heavy heart for the condition in which The Episcopal Church finds herself at this time. As a Province of the Communion, we are torn, and not only divided, but by virtue of the actions of our two most recent General Conventions, we have damaged severely the fabric of the Anglican Communion and wounded the Body of Christ. For this I grieve.

The time with the Primates was limited, with the three of us and the Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, each making individual presentations. This accounted for about an hour of our time, and then we were afforded time for questions and comments from the Primates. In all, about three hours were provided to us, and from all appearances, each of us was heard earnestly and clearly. We were also asked, in keeping with the agreement the Primates had made upon their arrival, to not discuss the meeting until it was over. (The exceptions to this being the daily press briefing the Primates made each evening through a spokesperson.)

During my presentation I sought to be honest, compassionate and faithful in describing what has and is taking place within this branch of our Communion, and the extent to which this is being experienced by many. I was not there representing just our diocese and myself, but rather the approximately twenty-four bishops that have expressed support for the Windsor Report as was delivered to us. Speaking on behalf of this portion of the Church - not only the bishops, but laity and clergy as well - I will confess that I took the responsibility with a great degree of seriousness. The importance of the task entrusted to me, was underscored by the fact that sixty plus hours of travel went into a three-hour moment in the history of the Church.

Following our time with them, the Primates resumed their meeting and continued to work until the eleventh hour the following week. With this portion of the continuing process now behind us, and with the faithful and prayerful labour of the Primates completed momentarily, we are in receipt of the Primates' document known as the "Communique." (A copy of this can be found on our diocesan web site at www.diocesewla.org.)

While the document reflects the fullness of their meeting and addresses important missional challenges - the Millennium Development Goals, Theological Education in the Anglican Communion, and the Hermeneutics Project which embraces a worldwide study of the methods of interpreting scripture - the major thrust of the Communique speaks in follow up to the Windsor Report. In addressing this area, much consideration was given to the progress that had been made since the meeting of the Primates in Dromantine in February 2005. Acknowledgment was made with respect to the Listening Process, the Panel of Reference, and the report of the Covenant Design Group, those who have been charged with the process and preparation of the draft "common Anglican Covenant."

With respect to The Episcopal Church, there was an acknowledgment that The Episcopal Church had responded to the Windsor Report with some degree of seriousness, and appreciation was expressed for this. However, the Primates believe "there remains a lack of clarity about the stance of The Episcopal Church" with respect to the standard of teaching accepted by the Communion, and stated in the 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10. (A copy of this can be found on our diocesan web site at www.diocesewla.org.) Concern is expressed that our GC 2006 Resolution B033 does not give the assurances requested in the Windsor Report. Reading the Communique you will note the continuing concern on the part of the wider Communion to matters pertaining to broken relationships, estrangement within the Church, complications brought about through interventions with congregations, and alternative primatial ministry.

To this end, the recommendations of the Primates as expressed in the Communique, provide a plan for pastoral and relational care of those having expressed a commitment to the Windsor Report recommendations, the Covenant process, and wider Anglican Communion, in Communion with the See of Canterbury. (This commitment has been expressed by me several times since the delivery of the Windsor Report and was affirmed by the two resolutions passed at our Diocesan Convention, October 2006.)

What is being said through the Communique is that together with "The Key Recommendations of the Primates," The Episcopal Church has been asked to provide "an unequivocal common covenant that the bishops will not authorise any Rite of Blessings for same-sex unions in their dioceses or through General Convention; and confirm that the passing of B033 of the 75th General Convention means that a candidate for episcopal orders living in a same-sex union shall not receive the necessary consent unless some new consensus on these matters emerges across the Communion."

It appears clear that the Primates desire to bring closure to the issues surrounding this and be about the business of the Church, and this being the mission to which God has called us. As such, the House of Bishops has been asked to convey their response to the requests expressed in the Communique, to the Primates via the Presiding Bishop by September 30, 2007.

How has the Communique been received? It has been received by some as the long awaited answer to a sought after question about our status within the larger Communion, and more important, as faithful members of the Body of Christ. Other responses have been negative and see it as an inhibiting document to the ministry of Christ's Church. Personally, I feel the document although not perfect, is right for the Church at this time, and presents us with a direct and orderly way forward. As to the next step, the House of Bishops will meet at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas in mid-March and is scheduled to address the document as a significant part of the meeting.

I believe all of you have been aware of my commitment from the outset to the process called for through the Primates and Anglican Consultative Council. I remain committed to seeing this through, and believe it to be the beginning of the final step in this process, a mechanism that will enable us to work toward healing and reconciliation. Admittedly, the time needed for this process is going to require us to continue to be patient over the next six months, and I trust this is a gift which we can embrace together.

As your Bishop, I pray that as we move forward in the days ahead we will continue to hold the life and ministry of the Church that has been entrusted to us in our prayers. May we with faithfulness live out the Gospel that has been handed down to us, and fulfill the mission of the Church, which is "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." [BCP p.855]

In closing, I leave you this day with this prayer, "Almighty God, give us such a vision of your purpose and such an assurance of your love and power, that we may ever hold fast the hope which is in Jesus Christ our Lord." [A New Zealand Prayer Book p.623]

With my prayers for a holy Lent, I remain

Faithfully in Christ,

+Bruce

The Rt. Rev'd D. Bruce MacPherson, D.D. III
Bishop of Western Louisiana