Rarely has a General Synod seen such emotion, heard such passionate supplications or witnessed such agonised conflicts of conscience and loyalty. The York meeting of bishops, clergy and lay members of the Church of England tested the faith of those present in a way that few other Anglican debates have done in recent years. And after months of tension, factionalism and lobbying, the long debate on the consecration of women bishops was cathartic. It was also refreshingly decisive. The Church of England has voted for the full ecclesiastical equality of women. In the conflict of tradition with reform, reform has triumphed.
In many ways, the synod showed the Church at its best. Despite the clash of convictions, speakers were respectful of place and occasion and to each other. The Archbishop of Canterbury set the tone. He spoke of the agonies facing the Church, but acknowledged the sincere conviction of everyone who spoke. Dr Williams’s sermon, during the synod, was uplifting at a time when comfort was needed by those distressed by the divisions and the rancour. He showed the sensitivity essential to his office and a spiritual leadership that may yet steer him past the rocks of the Lambeth conference.
Yes, it is clear that once again the C of E repudiated scripture and 2000 years of tradition.
[blockquote]the majority of clergy and bishops now favour the logical consequence of ordaining women as priests. They also believe that the Church must not be out of step with the mores and convictions of the society that it serves[/blockquote]
Ah, the Canterbury centered communion – stick a spork in it – it’s done. We certainly wouldn’t want a church that is at odds with the prevailing winds of society.
I cannot decide if Rowan is either a masterful strategist or a bungler who cannot make a decision. I tend to side with the former. I believe he is making a decided attempt to get the orthodox to self-select themselves out of his church. I predict that there will be one or more Lambeth resolutions that further inflame the situation, and they will be made precisely to get the orthodox to leave. I further predict that when Rowan retires, Sentamu will ascend to his position. This will add African bona fides and gravitas to the Canterbury centered communion in an attempt to show a contrast with those bigoted, homophobic archbishops from the Global South. Watch it unfold folks. It will not take as long as you think. Finally, to freeze the “communion conservatives” in place, Lambeth and subsequent primate meetings will promise an Anglican Covenant that will solve all your problems and keep you happily in communion with Canterbury.
I think it is getting too late in the day for the Anglican Covenant.
I read the entire article and I was somewhat shocked at the smug tone. Essentially, the writer said that very few will really leave and the ones that do will be miserable. It was like a jab to the Anglo-Catholics that was strictly gratuitous. There was nothing to this part of the article that was news or even good editorializing. Nor was the opinion backed up in anyway. Very, very unprofessional.
The Middle Way is dead, next will be blessings of gay unions.
I strongly agree with 2. Lambeth will show that the gloves are off a last, and that the game is openly being played for blood. Larry