Article 8 of the Constitution of the General Synod provides that certain kinds of legislation may not receive the final approval of the General Synod unless they have first been approved by the majority of diocesan synods . Legislation to enable women to become bishops falls within the scope of Article 8, hence this reference of the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure and draft Amending Canon No 30 to dioceses.
There are in fact FIVE documents if you include GS Misc 964 which explains the process.
The period provided for this consultation is not excessive. Diocesan synod dates for next year are already set, and many deanery synod dates also are, or (as in my local case) will be set this week. At both levels there are typically only three meetings a year.
I applaud the English for the careful crafting of words and a process which appears to try to honor all views on the WO topic.
I’m aware that this blog site steers clear of the discussion of WO for all the unfortunate reasons: it stirs up division and hampers harmony between those in agreement about virtually everything else; it can bring out the beast in good men and women whose theological educations can mask real animus towards those pro- and con- WO. So, I will resist the temptation to raise again the obvious non-procedural difficulties of any legislation that mandates WO for the English Church.
I will, however, ask those who belong to the Church of England this question: Do you think that the American experiment with WO is a successful one which has blessed and improved the life of the Body of Christ in TEC? If yes, what evidence would you present?