In a naked display of political power, the American Episcopal Church leadership stopped the Rev Philip Ashey, the clergy representative of the Province of Uganda, from taking his place at the 14th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council held in Jamaica, because he has been among the strongest critics of their pro-homosexual policies.

Uganda, like the USA, the Church of England, Canada and six other provinces can send a bishop, a priest and a lay person to the Anglican Consultative Council. The 'Joint Standing Committee' took the decision to bar Mr Ashey, because they said he was not 'qualified' to represent Uganda as he is an American who was received into the Church of Uganda in 2005. No such 'qualification' grounds exist in the ACC constitution, which allows each member province to make their own decision about who can represent them at council meetings. Furthermore, the 'Joint Standing Committee', which is the Standing Committee of the Primates' Meeting acting with the Standing Committee of the ACC, has no constitutional authority to even contemplate the question.

This unconstitutional and divisive action has been criticised as a grubby little exercise in political power and on all the evidence it is hard to see it in any other way.

If this was not enough, there was an almighty dust-up on Day Five concerning the continuing ruthless property litigation pursued by The Episcopal Church in the US and the Anglican Church of Canada against Bible-believing congregations who have been forced out because they will not accept the top-down push to approve homosexuality as a legitimate practice. The heart of the question (on Day Five) was for the ACC to endorse a moratorium on property litigation against parishes which wanted to be faithful to Scripture and leave the TEC. This had been a unanimous resolution of the Primates' in 2007. The day-long debate, according to the internet reports, was a procedural shambles replete with manoeuvres to confuse delegates with amendments and points of order. In a 33 to 32 vote, ACC refused support for a litigation moratorium and so overruled the decision of the Primates.

Residues of the British Empire can be seen in fine public buildings and a working railway system in many countries of the world. Institutions such as parliamentary democracy and a robust legal system also stand in positive testimony. The Anglican Communion is one such residue but in that case the principles of democracy and fair play have not survived.  At ACC Jamaica, a Ugandan-appointed delegate was refused admission to the conference on the first day and biblical interests were silenced on the fifth day. In both, the rule of law was ignored or abused and naked political pragmatics trumped principle.

People might wonder where were the Australian delegates in all of this? Our ACC representatives are Robert Fordham (Melbourne Diocese), the Archdeacon Sarah McNeill (Canberra/Goulburn), and Bishop Curnow (Bendigo). In addition Archbishop Aspinall and Mr Fordham are members of the Joint Standing Committee. Did Aspinall and Fordham vote against Uganda on Day One and how did the Australians vote on the litigation moratorium question on day five? All members of the Australian church have a right to know.