Members of the General Synod voted to press ahead with an amendment to discipline procedures making it ”unbecoming” or ”inappropriate” conduct for clergy to be members of a political party with policies and activities declared ”incompatible” with Church teaching on race equality.
Under the proposals, Church of England bishops would make a declaration on parties or organisations deemed incompatible with Christian teaching.
So apparently the CofE can draw boundaries….hmmmm….I suppose it just depends on what boundaries one wishes to draw, doesn’t it?
Should we ban:
Membership in disagreeable political parties? Yes.
Disbelief in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ? No.
Living a life in violation of Scriptural teaching on sexual morality? No.
yes bizarrely being far right is now impossible… fair enough.
But one can vote and endorse abortion, euthanasia, gay rights… in other words be far left.
I was listening yesterday to the recording of Synod complaints to the Business Commitee about the short session this time, the lack of time devoted to deliberation and debate and the number of briefings being given by this or that church body about their work was taking up much of what time there was. What is more it is apparent that the next few Synods will also be forshortened. All the signs are that the ABC and church managers are planning to sideline Synod in much the same way as he has the Primates. Synod is not happy.
Tuesday morning was a strange day in Synod. In the debate on clergy discipline, provision is being made for clergy to be required to report divorces to the bishop for consideration in relation to their suitability. This at the same time as on Wednesday, Synod will be asked [Agenda item 15 Wednesday am] to approve a House of Bishops report in relation to relaxing the rules on divorce when appointing new bishops. Somewhat risibly it is claimed that in fact this is not a change, there never has been a prohibition in relation to appointing bishops who are divorced or have divorced spouses. If the position was that clear, the House of Bishops at the behest of church managers, would not be asking Synod to approve their statement.
When appointment of the diocesan of Southwark was being leaked and discussed it became clear that on the slate was Nick Holtam [whose spouse is a divorcee], who has turned his St Martin’s-in-the-Fields parish mission statement into one solely concerned with gay inclusion, and is one of those who hosted Gene Robinson. The rumor is that Rowan Williams and others are pushing to make this screaming liberal a bishop in line with Rowan’s other recent appointments undermining the House of Bishops and the CofE.
So what a lot of effort to make Nick Holtam a bishop. What the bishops are saying is leave it all in our hands, whether we discipline people, or make them bishops when they are connected with divorce.
Well now, I have been trying to follow the tweets on this, but something was defeated – was it the report on divorce and the episcopate? Or perhaps some later proposed amendment – not sure – will need to wait until the report from this morning’s session is put up.
For anyone interested in that sort of thing, the debate on the ARCIC Report on “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” will be starting at 2:30 pm London time [9:30 am EST] and will be introduced by Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, and there will be a speech from the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop for Westminster, George Stack who will speak beforehand.
The motion is:
[blockquote]‘That this Synod, affirming the aim of Anglican – Roman Catholic
theological dialogue “to discover each other’s faith as it is today and to
appeal to history only for enlightenment, not as a way of perpetuating
past controversy†(Preface to The Final Report, 1982), and in the light
of recent steps towards setting up ARCIC III:
(i) note the theological assessment of the ARCIC report Mary:
Grace and Hope in Christ in the FOAG briefing paper GS 1818
as a contribution to further dialogue;
(ii) welcome exploration of how far Anglicans and Roman Catholics
share a common faith and spirituality, based on the Scriptures
and the early Ecumenical Councils, with regard to the Blessed
Virgin Mary;
(iii) request that, in the context of the quest for closer unity between
our two communions, further joint study of the issues identified
in GS 1818 be undertaken – in particular, the question of the
authority and status of the Roman Catholic dogmas of the
Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary for Anglicans; and
(iv) encourage Anglicans to study the report with ecumenical
colleagues and in particular, wherever possible, with their
Roman Catholic neighbours.’ [/blockquote]
Synod are currently debating a dio Liverpool [it would have to be wouldn’t it?] proposal to rewrite the baptism services so people [in Liverpool presumably] can understand them. The synod managers have briefed against passing this on the grounds that provision to vary the services is already there [if dio Liverpool had read it], cost and that this is the wrong time to be rewriting liturgy.
So far things I have noted Synod doing are:
– Deciding it is a bad idea for clergy to join extreme political parties such as the BNP and a disciplinary matter, opening the way to approval of parties who people vote for in the future
– in spite of the fact that it is covered in English law anyway and therefore in Church Law, deciding that racial discrimination is also a disclinary offence – presumably opening the way for other forms of ‘discrimination’ to become disciplinary offences in the future [where might that be intended to lead I wonder?]
– they have been allowed to listen to some nice chats about this and that
Other places where reports on Synod might be found are:
The report from this morning is up. It looks like Nick Holtam can now be made a bishop by the ABC, and people in Liverpool may be able to understand what is going on in a CofE baptism service. The bishops got their speeches on the ARCIC report in before lunch, but the debate can still be listened to this afternoon [London Time]
[blockquote]THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AFTER DIVORCE AND THE ORDAINED MINISTRY
The Bishop of Norwich (The Rt Revd Graham James) moved:
‘That the Synod do take note of this report.’
Following debate, the motion was carried.
Miss Prudence Dailey (Oxford) moved as a following motion:
‘That this Synod request that legislation be brought forward for a system, parallel to that currently in place for those seeking ordination as deacon or priest, requiring the issue of an archiepiscopal faculty before a person who is divorced and remarried and, the other party to that marriage being alive, has a former spouse still living (or who is married to someone who is divorced and has a former spouse still living) can be consecrated as a bishop.’
DIOCESAN SYNOD MOTIONS:
COMMON WORSHIP BAPTISM PROVISION
The Revd Dr Tim Stratford (Liverpool) to moved on behalf of the
Liverpool Diocesan Synod:
‘That this Synod request the House of Bishops to ask the Liturgical Commission to prepare material to supplement the Common Worship Baptism provision, comprising additional forms of the Decision, the Prayer over the Water and the Commission, expressed in culturally appropriate and accessible language.’
The Ven Paul Ferguson (York) moved as an amendment:
Leave out “Baptism provision, comprisong” and insert “Initiation provision, including”.
Following debate, the amendment was carried.
The Revd Canon Simon Butler (Southwark) moved as an amendment:
ANGLICAN – ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
REPORT: MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST
The Chair of the Council for Christian Unity (The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill) and The Rt Revd George Stack (Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Westminster) on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales made a presentation on the ARCIC report.
Audio of session to follow later this afternoon[/blockquote]
From here
So apparently the CofE can draw boundaries….hmmmm….I suppose it just depends on what boundaries one wishes to draw, doesn’t it?
Should we ban:
Membership in disagreeable political parties? Yes.
Disbelief in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ? No.
Living a life in violation of Scriptural teaching on sexual morality? No.
yes bizarrely being far right is now impossible… fair enough.
But one can vote and endorse abortion, euthanasia, gay rights… in other words be far left.
I was listening yesterday to the recording of Synod complaints to the Business Commitee about the short session this time, the lack of time devoted to deliberation and debate and the number of briefings being given by this or that church body about their work was taking up much of what time there was. What is more it is apparent that the next few Synods will also be forshortened. All the signs are that the ABC and church managers are planning to sideline Synod in much the same way as he has the Primates. Synod is not happy.
Tuesday morning was a strange day in Synod. In the debate on clergy discipline, provision is being made for clergy to be required to report divorces to the bishop for consideration in relation to their suitability. This at the same time as on Wednesday, Synod will be asked [Agenda item 15 Wednesday am] to approve a House of Bishops report in relation to relaxing the rules on divorce when appointing new bishops. Somewhat risibly it is claimed that in fact this is not a change, there never has been a prohibition in relation to appointing bishops who are divorced or have divorced spouses. If the position was that clear, the House of Bishops at the behest of church managers, would not be asking Synod to approve their statement.
When appointment of the diocesan of Southwark was being leaked and discussed it became clear that on the slate was Nick Holtam [whose spouse is a divorcee], who has turned his St Martin’s-in-the-Fields parish mission statement into one solely concerned with gay inclusion, and is one of those who hosted Gene Robinson. The rumor is that Rowan Williams and others are pushing to make this screaming liberal a bishop in line with Rowan’s other recent appointments undermining the House of Bishops and the CofE.
So what a lot of effort to make Nick Holtam a bishop. What the bishops are saying is leave it all in our hands, whether we discipline people, or make them bishops when they are connected with divorce.
Trust me – I’m a bishop. LOL!
Well now, I have been trying to follow the tweets on this, but something was defeated – was it the report on divorce and the episcopate? Or perhaps some later proposed amendment – not sure – will need to wait until the report from this morning’s session is put up.
For anyone interested in that sort of thing, the debate on the ARCIC Report on “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” will be starting at 2:30 pm London time [9:30 am EST] and will be introduced by Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, and there will be a speech from the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop for Westminster, George Stack who will speak beforehand.
The motion is:
[blockquote]‘That this Synod, affirming the aim of Anglican – Roman Catholic
theological dialogue “to discover each other’s faith as it is today and to
appeal to history only for enlightenment, not as a way of perpetuating
past controversy†(Preface to The Final Report, 1982), and in the light
of recent steps towards setting up ARCIC III:
(i) note the theological assessment of the ARCIC report Mary:
Grace and Hope in Christ in the FOAG briefing paper GS 1818
as a contribution to further dialogue;
(ii) welcome exploration of how far Anglicans and Roman Catholics
share a common faith and spirituality, based on the Scriptures
and the early Ecumenical Councils, with regard to the Blessed
Virgin Mary;
(iii) request that, in the context of the quest for closer unity between
our two communions, further joint study of the issues identified
in GS 1818 be undertaken – in particular, the question of the
authority and status of the Roman Catholic dogmas of the
Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary for Anglicans; and
(iv) encourage Anglicans to study the report with ecumenical
colleagues and in particular, wherever possible, with their
Roman Catholic neighbours.’ [/blockquote]
The debate can be listened to here:
http://www.premier.org.uk/streaming/synod.asx
The Report is here:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/ecumenical/dialogues/catholic/arcic/index.cfm
Other related papers can be accessed here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/general-synod/agendas-and-papers/february-2011-group-of-sessions.aspx
Various people have published comment:
+Michael Nazir-Ali:
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2011/02/01/evangelical-mary/
+Graham Kings in a piece written in 2005:
http://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/page.cfm?ID=40
and Church Society:
http://www.churchsociety.org/issues_new/synod/reports/iss_synod_reports_2010Feb-ARCICMary.asp
Just some other things related to Synod:
Reports from Synod may be found here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre.aspx
There is a press release with some information here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2011/01/secretary-of-state-for-international-development-to-address-the-synod.aspx
Timetable and Outline Agenda is here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1146206/feb11outlineagenda.pdf
Full Agenda is here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1166241/gs 1812.pdf
Papers are here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/general-synod/agendas-and-papers/february-2011-group-of-sessions.aspx
Synod are currently debating a dio Liverpool [it would have to be wouldn’t it?] proposal to rewrite the baptism services so people [in Liverpool presumably] can understand them. The synod managers have briefed against passing this on the grounds that provision to vary the services is already there [if dio Liverpool had read it], cost and that this is the wrong time to be rewriting liturgy.
So far things I have noted Synod doing are:
– Deciding it is a bad idea for clergy to join extreme political parties such as the BNP and a disciplinary matter, opening the way to approval of parties who people vote for in the future
– in spite of the fact that it is covered in English law anyway and therefore in Church Law, deciding that racial discrimination is also a disclinary offence – presumably opening the way for other forms of ‘discrimination’ to become disciplinary offences in the future [where might that be intended to lead I wonder?]
– they have been allowed to listen to some nice chats about this and that
Other places where reports on Synod might be found are:
Church Society:
http://www.churchsociety.org/index.asp
http://www.evangelicals.org/
The General Synod blog – not official, but useful – has some interesting tidbits
http://gensyn.blogspot.com/
Church Times – available to subscribers:
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/index.asp?id=106982
Thinking Anglicans:
http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/
The report from this morning is up. It looks like Nick Holtam can now be made a bishop by the ABC, and people in Liverpool may be able to understand what is going on in a CofE baptism service. The bishops got their speeches on the ARCIC report in before lunch, but the debate can still be listened to this afternoon [London Time]
[blockquote]THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AFTER DIVORCE AND THE ORDAINED MINISTRY
The Bishop of Norwich (The Rt Revd Graham James) moved:
‘That the Synod do take note of this report.’
Following debate, the motion was carried.
Miss Prudence Dailey (Oxford) moved as a following motion:
‘That this Synod request that legislation be brought forward for a system, parallel to that currently in place for those seeking ordination as deacon or priest, requiring the issue of an archiepiscopal faculty before a person who is divorced and remarried and, the other party to that marriage being alive, has a former spouse still living (or who is married to someone who is divorced and has a former spouse still living) can be consecrated as a bishop.’
Following debate, the following motion was lost.
Audio of session
DIOCESAN SYNOD MOTIONS:
COMMON WORSHIP BAPTISM PROVISION
The Revd Dr Tim Stratford (Liverpool) to moved on behalf of the
Liverpool Diocesan Synod:
‘That this Synod request the House of Bishops to ask the Liturgical Commission to prepare material to supplement the Common Worship Baptism provision, comprising additional forms of the Decision, the Prayer over the Water and the Commission, expressed in culturally appropriate and accessible language.’
The Ven Paul Ferguson (York) moved as an amendment:
Leave out “Baptism provision, comprisong” and insert “Initiation provision, including”.
Following debate, the amendment was carried.
The Revd Canon Simon Butler (Southwark) moved as an amendment:
Leave out “culturally appropriate and”.
Following debate, the amendment was carried.
Following further debate, the motion was carried.
Audio of session
ANGLICAN – ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
REPORT: MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST
The Chair of the Council for Christian Unity (The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill) and The Rt Revd George Stack (Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Westminster) on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales made a presentation on the ARCIC report.
Audio of session to follow later this afternoon[/blockquote]