Reform has issued a press release:
The decision of the General Synod’s Revision Committee to back away from proposals to give opponents of women bishops a way of staying in the Church of England has “overturned the will of Synod, created the spectre of confrontation, and risks extending the controversy for another five years,” according to the chairman of Reform, the Rev’d Rod Thomas.
Responding to the announcement made on Saturday 14th November that the Revision Committee had failed to approve the transfer of jurisdiction from female to male bishops where parishes could not accept their oversight, Rod Thomas said:
“At last February’s General Synod there was a clear desire to provide legislative safeguards for those who could not, in conscience, accept the oversight of women bishops. This has now been overturned by the Revision Committee. Whereas there was a prospect of agreement, the Revision Committee has now set the General Synod on a course of confrontation. It has served the Church badly.
“There has been much speculation about Anglo-Catholics leaving the Church of England for Rome. What has been overlooked is the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing – not to Rome, but to independence or alternative Anglican affiliations.
“Within the General Synod there will be many who will be deeply unhappy at the bullying tactics being used to dismiss opponents of the proposed new legislation. Some evangelicals who do support the introduction of women bishops will nevertheless vote against proposals which have the effect of excluding other evangelicals. This means that by the time the proposals have finished their tortuous progress through the General Synod, they will be likely to fail, since they will be unable to garner the two thirds majority support needed.
“It may be that in the providence of God, the result of the Revision Committee’s decision may be the reverse of what they intend: that this unbiblical move to put women in positions of headship in the church will fail. Reform will now renew its commitment to work towards this outcome.”
Well, he would say that wouldn’t he!
Wonder if Reform will fire its female trustees/and or council members?
‘Do you not see, how these Christians love one another?’
Well, no, one doesn’t.
Food for thought, surely?
“The decision of the General Synod’s Revision Committee to back away from proposals to give opponents of women bishops a way of staying in the Church of England “
What Double-Speak! There’s no doubt that the OOW *already* have “a way of staying” in the CofE. What they want is a completely independent Church-within-a-Church.
***
“the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing…”
One more time: individuals—and groups of individuals (large or small)—may leave (and Vaya con Dios). “Churches” (in the sense of parishes, w/ the parish buildings) may NOT.
This shows clearly why dialogue is so frustratingly difficult. This is such an unexpected take on things that one wonders whether we live in the same universe. Where do we begin, if we really want to stay together, even if uncomfortably together?
“unbiblical…” Judges 4:4 and following.
“It may be that in the providence of God, the result of the Revision Committee’s decision may be the reverse of what they intend: that this unbiblical move to put women in positions of headship in the Church will fail. Reform will renew its commitment to work towarsds this outcome” – Rod Thomas, REFORM – So, at last; we have Reform’s great fear exposed -that ‘women might be put in positions of headship in the Church’ – a move they see as ‘un-biblical’. This is just one more piece of evidence that Reform, and like-minded opponents of women’s ministry in… Read more »
I think it is important that Anglicans considering full union with the See of Peter spiritually prepare themselves by fully exploring the importance of the Eucharist. May I recommend Abbot Vonier’s ‘Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist’ for those interested. It is not by coincidence that the liberal MP, Augustine Barrell recognised that for Catholics “it’s the mass that counts”. Once living eucharistically becomes one’s bedrock, other difficulties become insignificant. Unity with Christ Jesus in the Eucharist overcomes all disunity. As a Catholic, the generosity of Pope Benedict in allowing Anglican and Latin tradition to become one in the… Read more »
‘My ways are not your ways’ cuts both ways, Fr Ron; just because you think you’re right doesn’t mean that you are.
And even if you ARE right, it doesn’t mean that those who take a contrary position are wrong in fact nor wrong to do so.
The 1992 OWP debate began with David Silk reminding Synod that ‘the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.’
“Once living eucharistically becomes one’s bedrock, other difficulties become insignificant. Unity with Christ Jesus in the Eucharist overcomes all disunity” – Jakian Thomist – About this, Jakian, I am utterly convinced you are right. Whatever one’s view about other things relative to the Christian life, the Eucharist has a basic resonance for all who love Jesus. His provision of this sacrament of his love has been, for me, the bedrock of my faith – ever since I discovered, before becoming a priest, the reality of Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist. All things else fall into place when our unity with… Read more »
Most Reform people don’t belive in the Eucharist and when they celebrate Anglican communion they throw away the remains.
“…when they celebrate Anglican communion…”
RIW, were you afraid that we might think that they celebrate Mormon or Presbyterian communion if you didn’t modify it? 😉
Robert Ian, Jesus can handle it.
I am no supporter of Reform. But Rod Thomas is quite right here, and I for one would support their position on needing pastoral provision (legal, not according to the whim of bishops, many of whom have already proved themselves untrustworthy to opponents).
“What has been overlooked is the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing – not to Rome, but to independence…”
I honestly do not understand threatening, “Give us what we want or we’ll abandon Anglicanism in favor of some congregationalist scheme.” Why do they think this would sway their opponents?
BillyD – most likely because it threatens the blessings of Establishment, which as you well know are threatened enough already.
Particularly as most of these large evangelical churches have not been paying their quota for years and also operating as independent of the local diocese. For example, Jesmond Parish Church (Reform affiliated), Newcastle upon Tyne has about 1,000 in attendance and employs and licenses its own clergy. It has also planted a church in the Diocese of Durham. Schism in all but name…