The O\u2019Donovan review of the workings of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) was approved overwhelmingly by the General Synod on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
The report, prepared by eight theologians led by the Revd Professor Oliver O\u2019Donovan, called for more theological depth among those chosen to be bishops (News, 19 January).<\/p>\n
Introducing his review, Professor O\u2019Donovan described it as \u201con the revolutionary side of evolutionary\u201d, meaning that it was \u201cneither bland nor bloody\u201d.<\/p>\n
As well as boosting the number of theological heavyweights on the bishops\u2019 bench, Professor O\u2019Donovan said he wanted to undo a culture of \u201cexcessive secrecy\u201d.<\/p>\n
This found considerable backing in the Synod. Anthony Archer, a lay member from St Albans diocese who had served on eight CNCs, welcomed this. He was \u201cnot proud to be associated with a body that has a reputation to be secretive\u201d.<\/p>\n