What does the Covenant say? It is comprised of an Introduction, Preamble, and four sections addressing the theological, biblical, and relational needs for a covenant. The idea of the Covenant is that we need a structure within which we can resolve our conflicts while continuing to proclaim the gospel, respond to the needs of those in our communities and the world, and maintain unity. The four sections of the Covenant are broken down as such: 1) Our Inheritance of Faith, 2) The Life We Share with Others: Our Anglican Vocation, 3) Our Unity and Common Life, and 4) Our Covenanted Life Together.
The fourth section is the one that gets most of the attention by those examining the document. Under subheading 4.2 "The Maintenance of the Covenant and Dispute Resolution", points 4.2.3-4.2.7 state that should a Church (Province) within the covenant act in such a way as to not be compatible with the other Churches, it can be asked to defer controversial actions, and if said Church refuses, it may be subject to limitation in, or suspension from the Instruments of Communion (Lambeth Conference, Primates Meetings, and the Anglican Consultative Council). A Church's failure to maintain compatibility and unity could result in its withdrawing from the Covenant, and possibly the Anglican Communion.
The issue of the Covenant matters when we consider the fact that the most "controversial actions" facing the Anglican Communion at this time are the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination/consecration of LGBT clergy. Supporting the Anglican Covenant as it is currently written, would deny individuals the gift of having their partnerships recognized and blessed by the Church, as well as denying the Church the ability to recognize and support the vocational call of some to ordained ministry.
Are we willing to ignore those in our Church for the sake of uniformity and conflict avoidance? Some feel that the Covenant in its current form is flawed; that it is focused on institutionalization and not on reconciliation. They believe that the Covenant denies issues around diversity, and will stifle creative and revelatory evangelism and mission work. Others feel that without the Covenant, divisions will deepen; that we need this Covenant to bind us together.
Our task as ministers of the Church, both lay and ordained, is to be educated on this issue so that we can make informed decisions when raising our concerns. Dioceses within the United States are beginning to make public statements in support of and against this Covenant, so that our Presiding Bishop can respond to the Standing Committee as a voice of the Church. It is our voice that Bishop Nedi must hear and respond to as she prepares to make a public statement on behalf of the diocese. My prayers will be with you all in your local communities as you read the Covenant and discern your response.