On 8th June, the 13-member Panel of Reference to deal with the controversy over homosexuality in the Anglican Communion worldwide was appointed and confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. The Archbishop expressed his appreciation for the interest and commitment of these members to resolve the Church’s crisis.

The 13 members of the Panel are drawn from many different countries such as the UK, Central Africa, Kenya, West Indies, USA, Australia and Hong Kong, and so will reflect more diverse opinions.

The Panel of Reference was formed at the request of the 38 Anglican Primates across the world during the last major meeting held in February at Dromantine, Northern Ireland. Since the US Episcopal Church (ECUSA) appointed an openly gay bishop and the Anglcian Church of Canada began blessing same-sex unions last year, the Anglican Church worldwide has been ridden by the schism over homosexuality.

A huge rift has resulted between liberals and conservatives who are mostly from Africa, South America and Asia. They threaten to withdraw from the Anglican Communion worldwide if the US counterpart refuses to turn back from their liberal move.

In February, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams suggested setting up the Panel of Reference. The function of the Panel is "to enquire into, consider and report on situations where there is serious dispute concerning the adequacy of schemes of delegated or extended Episcopal oversight" or "other extraordinary arrangements which may be needed to provide for parishes which find it impossible in all conscience to accept the direct ministry of their own diocesan bishop or for dioceses in dispute with their provincial authorities."

The Panel will make recommendations to the Primates, dioceses and provincial and diocesan authorities concerned with the consent of the Archbishop, and to report to him on their response.

The Chairman of the Panel is the Most Revd Dr Peter Carnley, retiring Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, with the support by Canon Gregory Cameron (Deputy Secretary General, Anglican Communion Office) as Secretary, and Canon John Rees (Legal Adviser, Anglican Consultative Council) as Legal Adviser, assisted by a senior member of Lambeth Palace staff in a liaison role for the Archbishop of Canterbury, together with other administrative support as required.

The first meeting of the Panel is expected to take place at the earliest available opportunity, probably in July or August 2005.

The other 12 members of the Panel are as follows:

His Honour Michael Evans, QC (QC - Queen's Counsel)
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales

The Revd Dr Joseph Galgalo
Lecturer in Systematic and Contextual Theologies,St Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru, Kenya

Mr Bernard Georges
Chancellor of the Province of the Indian Ocean

The Rt Revd Khotso Makhulu, CMG (CMG - Companion (of the order) of St Michael and St George)
former Primate of Central Africa

The Revd Canon John Moore
former International Director of the Intercontinental Church Society (ICS)

Mrs Rubie Nottage
Chancellor of the Province of the West Indies

The Rt Revd Claude Payne
former Bishop of Texas

The Rt Revd Dr John Sentamu
Bishop of Birmingham

The Rt Revd Maurice Sinclair
former Primate of the Southern Cone

Mr Robert Tong
Member, Church Law Commission, Anglican Church of Australia and Chairman of the Council of the Anglican Church League, Australia

The Revd Stephen Trott
Church Commissioner, the Church of England

Ms Fung Yi Wong
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council