Group photo of all delegates
The 19th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) met at Belfast, Northern Ireland from 28 June to 4 July. A total of 100 members of the Anglican Communion attended, drawing from 37 provinces and 4 extra-provincial dioceses. Present were also 30 representatives from various Anglican Communion committees and networks, and 12 guests from other denominations.
Representing Hong Kong at ACC-19 were the Revd Billy Ip Tsz Leung (who will be retiring from the ACC Standing Committee), Ms Isabella Luk （陸秀珍）from St Paul’s Church, and Ms Agnes Lam（林俏琦）from All Saints’ Cathedral, who attends as a youth advocate and co-convenors of the Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN).
Themed ‘Called to One Hope’, the six days of ACC-19 saw participants engaging in topics ranging from discipleship and evangelisation, to peace and reconciliation, science and faith, protection of the vulnerable, climate change, migration and refugee, ecumenism, and safe church. A one-day pilgrimage was also scheduled to Derry/Londonderry, tracing the pastoral steps of the Church of Ireland there, with the delegates praying for world peace and reconciliation.
The various Communion committees and networks presented their reports and proposals at the ACC-19, including ‘Vision36’, a church planting initiative for the next 10 years. A report on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, a paper addressing the issues of Anglican identity and unity, was also submitted by the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO).
The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals were ultimately received as resources for ‘continuing discernment’. ACC-19 passed a resolution calling for further dialogue within the Anglican Communion in the next three years. The ACC also stressed the importance of ‘strengthening our relationships’ as the Communion moves into further internal dialogue on structure, shared faith and spiritual life.
Delegates welcomed the opportunity to engage in ‘the vitality of discussion and respectful debate’, agreeing that the way forward in walking with the Church together is through prayer, study of Scripture, dialogue, and ‘structures that encourage relationships and trust to grow’.
The resolution also affirmed the present reality that the Anglican Communion is a Communion of autonomous churches, identified by full communion with the See of Canterbury, that ‘now experiences the pain of some describing themselves as being in full communion with Canterbury whilst others do not, and seeks together to receive again God’s gift of full communion as one family’. The resolution further rejoices that all God’s people are ‘called to one hope’, and acknowledges that ‘our present divisions in the Anglican Communion are partly caused by disagreements about the “one faith”’ (Ephesians 4:4-6).
The Revd Billy Ip commented that the resolution is, in effect, a delaying tactic, and has created a new dilemma. On the bright side, we see a Church leadership that is willing to listen and continue communication, avoiding rash decisions when all sides are not ready for one; a less charitable take is that further delays will only cause more rifts, as provinces that are eager for reform on the matter of the Archbishop of Canterbury remaining a spiritual head of the Communion may not have enough patience for yet another postponement of the decision – they could very well leave the Communion outright.
The other two delegates of HKSKH shared their thoughts on ACC-19
Agnes Lam (林俏琦) with Archbishop Hosam, Vice-Chair of ACC.
(Photo: Neil Turner for ACO)
For Lam, it was her first time seeing so many representatives from across the Anglican Communion gathered together, and setting the future course of the Church together via equal dialogue and mutual learning. She is thankful for the opportunity to meet with youth leaders from across the world. As a young member of the Anglican Church herself, she was proud to see all these young representatives actively participating in the discussions – that itself is already an active way of shaping and leading the Church. Lam saw that the youth is no longer ‘the future of the Church’, rather, the future is happening right now.
Lam noted in particular a discussion round on cross-generational peace ministry, where she had the opportunity to share in a dialogue with the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, the Vice-Chair of the ACC. The Archbishop in Jerusalem asked the youth present on that day, ‘We always talk about the need of defending the youth’s participation, but what is so special about them?’ Lam believes that in our ever-changing age, the youth has the advantage in being more open to new ideas, and is quicker to adapt to changes. With the youth’s enthusiasm in embracing new things, they can more swiftly come up with new solutions, and listen to new voices. Such resilience is essential to church leadership.
Perhaps, as of now, there is still the need to intentionally create spaces for youth participation in the Church’s strategic decisions and daily operations, but Lam’s dream is that there will be a day when the younger generations’ participation in church decisions will be as natural as breathing – that it will be part of the norm, without special provisions for ‘youth participation’.
As for Luk, taking part of ACC-19 was an affirmation that we are truly ‘one family in Christ’. Each day saw delegates from all over the world playing a part in morning prayers, eucharists, and bible study. From presentations given by various networks and committees sprung understanding of how the ACC functions, and from there, discussions and sharing of experiences.
As we hail from different cultural backgrounds, it is natural for us to hold different perspectives, but we still are ‘of one body, and drink of one spirit’. Despite disagreements, delegates could still navigate them with the Anglican ethos, and come to an acceptance based on hope, listening, and dialogue. All of this is done so that we could work towards more unity, to become a fellowship more pleasing to God, spreading his love and goodness here on Earth.
Luk also commented how her horizons were broadened. Though the HKSKH covers a small area geographically, we have our own position and identity within the wider Communion. As we reflect upon ourselves with sober judgement, we are able to follow Christ’s teaching to ‘love our Lord and our neighbour’, and connect with the Anglican Communion in mutual cooperation and forward progress. Luk hopes that we can all listen more and hold more dialogue, and build a true body of Christ filled with ‘faith, hope, and love’.
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally with the three Hong Kong delegates: the Revd Billy Ip, Agnes Lam (林俏琦) (left), and Isabella Luk (陸秀珍) (right).
(Photo: Neil Turner for ACO)