In a final draft of the communiqu\u00c3\u00a9, debated by bishops in a closed \u201d\u02dchearing\u2019 last night, the bishops say there is \u201d\u02dcwidespread support\u2019 for three moratoria:<\/p>\n
\u2019This could be the \u201cgenerous act of love\u201d\u009d the communion is looking for. The moratoria could be taken as part of a sign of the bishops\u2019 affection, trust and goodwill towards the Archbishop of Canterbury and one another. The moratoria will be difficult to enforce, so there are some fears as to whether it will hold. But there is a desire to make it do so.<\/p>\n
\u201d\u02dcThere are questions to be explored in relation to how long the moratoria are intended to serve. Perhaps the moratoria could be seen as a \u201cseason of gracious restraint.\u201d\u009d\u2019<\/p>\n
There was also strong support for a new global Pastoral Forum – a rapid deployment hit squad which could be sent to intervene where actions by provinces threaten to cause disruption to the life of the Communion. The Pastoral Forum would also act as a \u201d\u02dcfriendly uncle\u2019 providing shelter for those parishes which have pulled away from their dioceses and provinces until such time as they can be \u201d\u02dcreturned to their parents\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201d\u02dcThere is an agreement that it should be pastoral and not legal and should be able to respond quickly. It was also clearly stated that this process should always be moving towards reconciliation with the parent Province.\u2019<\/p>\n
But the bishops stressed: \u201d\u02dcIt would need to be clear that the forum could operate in a Province only with its consent and in particular with the consent of the Primate of the Province. There was some support for an alternative suggestion to appoint in any dispute a Pastoral Visitor, working with a professional arbitrator and to create in the Communion a \u201cpool\u201d\u009d of such visitors.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Reflections Drafting Group will prepare a final version of the statement today, taking into account last night\u2019s hearing. It will be presented to the bishops this afternoon when they are expected to affirm it.<\/p>\n
But whether this will make any difference is yet to be seen.<\/p>\n