At Last! Changes in the ACNA Constitution and Canons Now Online

By Robin G. Jordan

The Anglican Church in North America’s Provincial Office has finally posted the amended ACNA constitution and canons on its website—over two months after the ratification of the changes to the two governing documents.  While these changes are not effective until 90 days after their ratification, this is not sufficient reason to delay their posting on the ACNA website. An informed general membership does not appear to be something that the ACNA leadership values.

A cursory examination of the amended governing documents shows that the changes proposed by the Governance Task Force and approved by the Executive Committee in January 2011 were incorporated into the documents as well as the amendments adopted by the Provincial Council on June 20, 2011. Presumably these changes were adopted by the Council at its June 2012 meeting so they could be presented to the Provincial Assembly for ratification with the amendments adopted in June 2011.

From all appearances the delegates to the Provincial Assembly at a carefully orchestrated evening business session rubberstamped the changes to the ACNA governing documents. The Provincial Office has yet to release a transcript of this meeting and to make public what transpired—how many delegates were present at the meeting, whether the delegates debated the merits of the proposed changes, and whether they ratified the proposals by acclamation, a show of hands, a voice vote, or ballot.

Delaying the release of this information for more than 60 days after the meeting gives the appearance of being motivated by a desire to reduce the likelihood of any dissent arising from the actions of the Provincial Council and the Provincial Assembly. Releasing it immediately after the meeting might result in the questioning of the Council members and Assembly delegates in regards to how they voted.

It also raises questions about the operation of the Provincial Office. We live in an age of rapid electronic communication. Yet the Provincial Office is functioning as if it was operating in the last century.

An unedited video record of the Provincial Assembly’s business session should have been made and posted on the ACNA website. The session should have also been live-streamed on the Internet. The general membership and the public should be able to see for themselves how the meeting was conducted and what happened at the meeting.

This serves four purposes:

First, it shows a commitment to openness and transparency, something in which the ACNA leadership to date is seriously lacking.

Second, it keeps the general membership and the public informed of developments in the ACNA.

Third, it provides a form of accountability.

Fourth, it reduces the likelihood of the manipulation of the proceedings at the meeting and the subsequent misrepresentation of what occurred.

All reports submitted to the Provincial Council, the Executive Committee, the College of Bishops, and the Provincial Assembly should also be available to the general membership and the public.

The lack of openness, transparency, and accountability in the Anglican Church in North America is a serious problem. It is not a problem that is going to correct itself. Rather it is a problem that, if it is not addressed, will grow only worse.