This report will focus on ARCIC I’s Venice Statement, “Authority in the Church I.” First, we will identify some special features of the American context which influence the perception and reception of institutional authority. Briefly, we will review the koinonia ecclesiology of the Venice Statement. Next, we will look at how in the United States, Roman Catholics and Episcopalians have established organs of decision-making and administration. Then, we will broadly review the history of episcope within our common catholic tradition. [from the Preamble]