The General Synod, on 7th July voted to pursue the execution of previous moves to promote same sex blessing in a standalone service and to allow and approve of same sex 'active' clergy (deferred until February next) even though all the detail had not yet been worked out but placed trust in the bishops to work it all out. Item 24 on the agenda related to GS2358 which was a 31 page document that outlined some proposals. Its core elements were:
- To remove the restrictions in the current pastoral guidance on using the Prayers of Love and Faith for a three-year period of discernment.
- To introduce alongside this a model of specific and defined delegation of episcopal ministry, so that those on all sides of the debate, who feel they require it, can request care from a bishop whose ministry they are in conscience able to receive, supported by an Independent Review Panel to assess where practice departs from agreed principles.
- For more work under the aegis of the Faith and Order Commission on the nature of doctrine to enable further conversations on whether to remove current restrictions on clergy being in same-sex civil marriages, for decision by the House of Bishops in early January 2025 and to be presented at the February 2025 General Synod
So, for a period of 'discernment' the restriction currently in place concerning standalone blessing services is removed. You not happy with the decision? Go and find your 'space' with another bishop. A discussion about same sex clergy the be approved of (rather than frowned of,currently?) and given the green light.
The Archbishop in his opening speech urges those who opposed the motion not to walk away. Those who objected to the motion believed that the idea of giving pastoral assurance- which in practice would mean providing alternative bishops did not go far enough. Helen Lamb (Oxford) said that the motion, demonstrated that “the bus is travelling, the route stops are mapped out . . . and right now, it feels like some of us are being run over by the bus.” She called for the bishops to engage in further discussion with those who opposed the changes, and to find a settlement which they considered acceptable.
The claim is the difference between the former proposals and this one is the reference to three spaces. The vague reference to three 'spaces' is, using the bus analogy: (1) those who were on the bus (2) those who cared little about joining the ride or not and (3) those where were definitely not going on the bus. The paper acknowledges the proposal that Christians hold a variety of views on LLF (Living on Love and Faith) all of which are held with integrity and all of which deserves respect.
Clearly the bus is already started, even though the ticket price has not yet been worked out or the route fully planned. Its seems however that the restriction of Cannon 30 regarding marriage between one man and woman means that the bus has not had its MOT and is travelling illegally but the authorities are looking the other way.
ARE YOU CLIMBING ABOARD or does it not MATTER?
You can find access to all the papers relating to the Synod of July 2024 here:
Videos of the debate can be found on Monday Afternoon
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