RESOLUTION CARRIED
Subject: Canon XXII—National Indigenous Ministry
Moved By: Canon Randall Fairey, Diocese of Kootenay
Seconded By: The Ven. Harry Huskins, Diocese of Algoma
Be it resolved that this General Synod
amend Canon XXII to read as follows:
[Italicized portions show proposed additions to Canon XXII to incorporate decisions made by ACIP; the italics will not be in the version as adopted. Some redundancies have been deleted.]
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 partnership with diocesan bishops.
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.
Selection Process for the NIAB
A person is eligible for selection as the NIAB if that person
(a) is of the full age of thirty years;
(b) is a priest or bishop in Holy Orders of The Anglican Church of Canada, or of a church in full communion therewith;
(c) is faithful in the doctrines and discipline of The Anglican Church of Canada as determined and defined by the official formularies of that church;
(d) is known and recognized as being a person of integrity and moral stature; and
(e) has those qualities and abilities of leadership, experience and learning that will enable that person to fulfil the duties of a chief pastor in the Church of God.
When a vacancy occurs (or is about to occur) in the office of NIAB, ACIP will create a search committee (which must include an elder) to determine the specific qualities and additional qualifications that might be required or desirable with respect to the person to fill the vacancy; identify potential candidates; assemble information from the persons who are prepared to become candidates; and prepare a short list of candidates for ACIP.
ACIP will elect a person from the short list submitted by the selection committee, and will send the name of the NIAB-elect to the Primate for concurrence by the Primate and the four Provincial Metropolitans.
Following concurrence, the Primate will consecrate the NIAB-elect (if not already a bishop) and install the NIAB in office.
At the first opportunity following the NIAB’s installation in office, the Sacred Circle will receive the NIAB as its presiding elder.
Term of Office for the NIAB
The term of office for the NIAB is nine years from the date of installation. The NIAB whose term has been completed is eligible to stand for election for a further term.
The NIAB must retire on reaching the age of 70.
Vacancy in the Office of the NIAB
If the NIAB dies, resigns, retires, or for any other reason the office of the NIAB is vacant, or the NIAB is unable to act by reason of absence or illness, the Primate in consultation with the chair or co-chairs of ACIP will designate the senior indigenous bishop in The Anglican Church of Canada willing to undertake the task as the Acting NIAB.
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.
The members of ACIP must be aboriginal, members of The Anglican Church of Canada, and active in their parish or diocese.
ACIP will consist of the following persons:
(a) The NIAB.
(b) Two persons elected by each Provincial Caucus at the Sacred Circle.
(c) One youth, one elder and one member-at-large appointed by the NIAB.
Except for the NIAB, the terms of ACIP members will end at the conclusion of the next Sacred Circle. Where a vacancy occurs on the Council between Sacred Circles, ACIP may appoint a replacement for a person who was elected by the Sacred Circle, and the NIAB may appoint a replacement for a person whom the NIAB had appointed. A person who has served on ACIP is eligible for re-election.
ACIP will select its chair or co-chairs.
ACIP maintains relationships with the House of Bishops, General Synod, the Council of General Synod, the Council of the North, and the International 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.
The Sacred Circle will consist of the following voting members:
(a) Ten indigenous members from each of those dioceses identified by ACIP as having significant indigenous ministries. (More persons from these dioceses may attend the Sacred Circle, and may be granted voice but shall not vote.)
(b) Up to ten indigenous members identified by ACIP to represent urban indigenous ministries.
(c) Up to three indigenous members from the Anglican Military Ordinariate
(d) The indigenous bishops of The Anglican Church of Canada, as identified by ACIP.
(e) The NIAB, who is the presiding elder at its meetings.
The Primate is always an invited guest at the Sacred Circle, and has voice but not vote.
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). In addition, ACIP may invite up to twelve partners to attend the Sacred Circle. These invited persons may be granted voice but shall not vote.
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
Developments in the organization of the indigenous ministries will take place over time, and can be accommodated by changes to the existing constitutional and canonical structures.
Background
At the 2009 meeting of the Sacred Circle, the GWG asked ACIP three questions:
(a) how will future members of ACIP be selected?
(b) how will future members in the Sacred Circle be selected? and
(c) how will the next NIAB be selected?
In accordance with the principle of self-determination, it was recognized that the answers to these questions must come from the Indigenous members of our Church.
When General Synod 2010 adopted Canon XXII to include the structure of the National Indigenous Ministry in the constitutional framework of the National Church, it was recognized that further legislative action would be required to incorporate the answers to the three questions.
After extensive consultations during the present triennium, the 2012 meeting of the Sacred Circle unanimously confirmed how these selections will be made in the future.
Accordingly, the GWG proposes that Canon XXII be amended to incorporate these provisions.
[Italicized portions show proposed additions to Canon XXII to incorporate decisions made by ACIP; the italics will not be in the version as adopted. Some redundancies have been deleted.]
Source: Governance Working Group
Submitted By: Governance Working Group
Does this motion contain within it any financial implications? Yes No X
If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications? Yes No
PROCEDURE REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION (E)
In accordance with section 11 c) ii) of the Declaration of Principles, the enactment or amendment of a canon (which does not deal with doctrine, worship or discipline) must be approved at one session of General Synod by a two-thirds majority of the Order of Bishops, and a two-thirds majority of the Orders of Clergy and Laity voting together.