GOOD NEWS! DIOCESES OF DERBY AND GLOUCESTER SAY NO TO ANGLICAN COVENANT

From Tobias Haller at In a Godward Direction:

The Diocese of Derby in the Church of England voted against the adoption of the proposed Anglican Covenant.

Bishops: for 0; against 1 (bishop Humphrey not present)
Clergy: for 1, against 21, abstention 2
Laity. for 2, against 24, absention 1

Tobias says:

Derby has been an Indaba partner with New York and Delhi (India) and according to the Twitter feed comments on the debate the Indaba experience contributed to the negative vote. This is natural, because Indaba represents the ideals the Covenant lauds but paradoxically disables in its notorious Section 4.

Yes! May the vote in Derby inspire other dioceses in the UK to vote against the proposed covenant. The supporters of the document say that there is no alternative to the covenant, but Indaba is one better way forward for the Anglican Communion as opposed to threats of 'relational consequences' for provinces who do not toe the line, although where the line is drawn, who can say?

Update from Nicholas Knisely at The Lead:

We're also seeing reports on twitter from Lesley Crawley's stream that Gloucester has voted against the Covenant as well. We're hoping to find more information soon on that.

It is confirmed that the Diocese of Gloucester voted against the Anglican Covenant. The numbers are below.

House of Clergy YES: 16; NO: 28; 1 abstention
House of Laity YES: 14; NO: 28; 6 abstentions
House of Bishops YES: 1; 1 abstention

DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA SAYS NO THE ANGLICAN COVENANT

From the summary of the Anglican Covenant conversation in the Diocese of California:

The California deputation concluded from conversations that included more than 200 lay and clergy members of the diocese that the proposed covenant "would alter Anglicanism at [its] basic level, and not for the better." The deputation also held up the "Indaba process," a Zulu word that refers to conferences where all participants have an equal voice. This process was introduced at the Lambeth Conference of 2008 as a way to bring bishops from around the communion together in small groups to discuss matters of importance in their own context. The California deputation's summary stated that the Indaba example and other expressions of mutuality "are far more life-giving in the Gospel and Spirit-filled than pursuing the formal structures offered by the proposed Anglican Covenant." (My emphasis)

Indaba! Indaba!

From the letter to Dr. Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies and The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate from the General Convention Deputation of the Episcopal Diocese of California:

We note our deep value of the Anglican Communion, The Episcopal Church's constituent part in it, and our ongoing desire to participate in its common life. We cherish our developing diocesan companion relationships and the inter-provincial relationships in shared mission a number of our congregations enjoy. Many of these relationships already transcend cultural and theological differences, witness to our unity in Christ, and reflect the diversity that has been part of our Christian heritage all the way back to the first apostolic Council of Jerusalem.

It IS possible to value the Anglican Communion, while at the same time viewing the Anglican Covenant as detrimental to furthering the bonds of unity in Christ amongst the churches of the communion. Thanks to the deputation at the diocesan for making the concept crystal clear.

Read the entire letter at the diocesan website or at the link to The Lead below.

H/T to Ann Fontaine at The Lead.

Keep those noes a-comin'! Indaba! Indaba!