Press Release, SEC.
The Scottish Episcopal Church has responded to the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, which offer a revised definition of the Anglican Communion and suggest an enhanced role for the Primates’ Meeting together with a rotating presidency of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).
Background to the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals
The proposals arise from ACC18’s 2023 request to the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO) to explore structures enabling respectful differentiation in the face of disagreements within the Anglican Communion. These disagreements concern women’s ministry and, particularly, same-sex relationships.
These tensions within the Anglican Communion also reflect a long-standing theological diversity shaped by differing missionary histories. They reflect broader shifts in global Anglican leadership and local liturgical development since the 1960s. Although Anglicans have lived with impaired communion for some decades, current disputes—intensified by debates over sexuality and recent reactions to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appointment—have sharpened questions about Anglican identity.
The SEC offers this response to the proposals as an enthusiastic and committed member of the Anglican Communion, but one which has a history which is distinct from that of the Church of England.
SEC Response
The Scottish Episcopal Church affirms much in the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, especially their vision of the Anglican Communion as part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. However, the SEC also has significant concerns.
In particular, the SEC questions the English focus of historical narrative underlying the proposals. While recognising the need for definitions that reflect current realities, the SEC believes that to define Anglican identity solely in terms of “historic links with Canterbury” is problematic and insufficient.
In light of liturgical reform since the 1960s, continued reliance on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as the theological foundation of the Anglican Communion is outdated. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer was in any case never definitive for the liturgy of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
The SEC recognises the potential benefits of a rotating ACC presidency, but notes that practical considerations are not addressed in these proposals. The status of the “regions” of the Anglican Communion also needs clarification.