Justin Brett, a lay member from the diocese of Oxford, wants the Synod to \u201cnote\u201d\u009d rather than \u201caffirm\u201d\u009d the Primates\u2019 recommendation. On Wednesday, he described as \u201cdubious\u201d\u009d the idea that Synod should, as he put it, effectively write a blank cheque. He also expressed concern that the timetable for drawing up the Covenant was already well advanced.<\/p>\n
This was not a wrecking amendment, he said. \u201cIt\u2019s trying to make sure that when we do vote on the motion, we do so with a sizeable majority.\u201d\u009d There was too much uncertainty surrounding the process, Mr Brett said. The various views expressing doubts about the Covenant \u201call hang on whether we\u2019re absolutely sure we are doing the right thing, and have been talking long enough\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n
Another amendment, tabled by the Revd Jonathan Clark, a member of Affirming Catholicism, reflects concern about the power of the Primates. It seeks to ensure that the Synod gets the chance to endorse the Church\u2019s official response to the current draft Covenant.<\/p>\n
The amended section (c) would read: \u201cinvite the Presidents, having consulted the House of Bishops and the Archbishops\u2019 Council, to bring back to the next group of sessions of Synod for approval a considered response to the draft from the Covenant Design Group for submission to the Anglican Communion Office\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n