To: Members of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
From: The Governance Task Force of the ACNA
Re: Proposed 2025 Amendments to the Canons of the ACNA
Date: April 7, 2025
Brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the ACNA,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Governance Task Force (GTF) of the ACNA unanimously proposes the following, single change to the canons of the ACNA for your consideration and comments. This proposed amendment has been reviewed by the College of Bishops at their meeting in Melbourne, Florida, in January 2025, and by the Executive Committee at their meeting in Dallas, Texas, also in January 2025.
It is the hope of the GTF that you will review and comment upon this proposed change during this First Comment Period for the three-week period from April 7, 2025, until 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on April 28, 2025, by email to governance@anglicanchurch.net. The GTF will consider any suggestions and make revisions as appropriate. A short video explaining this canonical change is available at https://bit.ly/4lethoC . Please note that the dates cited in the video are no longer accurate. Refer to the dates noted above for providing feedback.
The GTF will then distribute a revised draft for a period of comment by Diocesan and Provincial Chancellors, Delegates to Provincial Council (PC) known at such time by the Provincial Office, and the members of the Anglican Legal Society. This Second Comment Period will extend for the two-week period from May 12, 2025, until 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on May 26, 2025. The GTF will again consider suggestions and make revisions as appropriate.
The GTF will then distribute a Final Report for approval by Delegates to PC 2025 gathering in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in June 2025.
Please prayerfully study these changes during these lengthy comment periods so that needed changes can be made before we arrive at PC 2025.
The single change proposed to our canons for PC 2025 is the addition of a new Section 2 to Title I, Canon 4 as follows:
Canon 4
Of Committees
Section 1. Concerning Initial Committees
At the time of the adoption of the Constitution the following Task Forces and Committees were operating: the Prayer Book and Common Liturgy Task Force, the Governance Task Force, the Admissions Committee, the Ecumenical Relations Task Force, the Education Committee, the Episcopate Task Force, the Finance, Budget and Stewardship Committee, the Mediation Panel and the Mission Committee. These Task Forces and Committees shall continue, as constituted, as Committees of the Church until further action of the Council, which shall have authority to end or alter the same and to appoint such other committees and task forces as deemed necessary.
Section 2. Concerning the Provincial Constitution and Canons Committee
- The Governance Task Force shall henceforth be known as the Provincial Constitution and Canons Committee (hereafter in this Section the “Committee”).
- Consistent with the procedures outlined in Title V of these Canons, it shall be the responsibility of the Committee to oversee and guide the process by which
Provincial Council considers amendments to the Constitution and Canons of the Province and the process by which Provincial Assembly ratifies any amendments proposed by Provincial Council. - In the performance of their responsibilities, the Committee may
- Consider amendments suggested by the Archbishop, the Executive Committee, the Provincial and Diocesan Chancellors, the Members of the Committee, and/or the clergy or laity of the Province, and shall establish a process for receipt, consideration, and response to such suggestions;
- Share draft amendments with the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee for consideration and comment prior to annual meetings of the Provincial Council;
- Share draft amendments with Members of Provincial Council for consideration and comment prior to Provincial Council;
- Present amendments to Provincial Council for approval; and
- Present amendments approved by Provincial Council to Provincial Assembly for ratification.
- Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Archbishop with the consent by majority vote of the Executive Committee. Members may be removed by the Archbishop with the consent by majority vote of the Executive Committee.
- The number of Members of the Committee shall be determined by the Archbishop with the consent by majority vote of the Executive Committee. At least one (1) Member shall be a currently active diocesan bishop.
- Members shall serve six-year terms, with the initial members serving staggered terms as determined by the Committee, and may serve multiple terms if reappointed in accordance with paragraph 5.
- The Provincial Chancellor(s) shall be ex-officio members of the Committee with voice but no vote.
- The Archbishop may select a Chair from among the voting members of the Committee or may allow the Committee to elect a chair from among its voting membership.
- The Committee may appoint such subcommittees as it deems necessary and may invite non-Committee members to serve on such subcommittees, provided that any amendment submitted to the Province for consideration shall be adopted by majority vote of the members of the Committee.
- In furtherance of its responsibilities, the Committee shall make written and/or oral reports to the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee at their regular meetings, to Provincial Council, to Provincial Assembly, and at any other meetings as directed by the Archbishop.
Rationale: As our Province matures, it seems fit that the Governance Task Force, charged from our inception with the creation of the governing documents of the Province, should begin to function as do the constitution and canon committees of our various dioceses. Accordingly, this new amendment seeks to make transparent the roles, duties, and powers of the Committee; set a cooperative check and balance on the power to appoint and remove members of
the Committee between the Archbishop and the Executive Committee; clarify the roles of any Provincial Chancellors in the ongoing activities of the committee; and provide an opportunity to make reports to the Province at its various meetings throughout each year.
In all things, may God give us wisdom as we seek to provide good and godly governance
for our Province.
Respectfully submitted,
The Very Rev. Cn. Andrew Rowell, Esq., (Gulf Atlantic), for the GTF
