GENERAL SYNOD DIARY
Also at http://gensyn.blogspot.com/
Monday 6th – Thurs 9th Feb 2012
London
Monday 6th
Up early to catch 9.45 train from Wolverhampton. Collect Rev Maureen Hobbs. Arrive at station to find accidentally removed train tickets from bag the night before. Run across to booking office and buy another, can claim refund thankfully. Off we go then go train toilet. Train lurches as stretching out hand to press door lock. Elbow hits alarm. Voice asks 'Are you OK madam?' How does he know I am a woman?? Look suspiciously for camera.
Arrive on time in Euston and cross London by Tube to leave cases at Union Jack Club. Back to Westminster and arrive for end of service at St Margaret's [very pretty church next to Abbey] for women in ministry [WATCH- Women And The CHurch]. Walk in silence to Dean's Yard, Church House and stand on steps with unlit candle to express support for women bishops. BBC arrive.
2.15pm – 7pm
Sing National Anthem.
Rowan Williams leads loyal address to HM Queen.
Business Committee report
Complaints about items missing from agenda- OCCUPY events, bankers' bonuses, Middle East, civil partnerships in religious premises, crisis in capitalism, length of time spent in GS.
Private member's motion- Independent Commission on Assisted Dying
Unfairly biased commission headed by Chmn of former 'Dignity in Dying', not independent. Evidence submitted by questionnaire online.
Following points made in debate:
wrong diagnoses sometimes given by doctors
resources may be diverted from palliative care for this
changes relationship between doctors and nurses
implications for care homes
people are vulnerable when in pain, law exists to protect them
moral, ethical and legal problems
UK has palliative care that is envy of world
every life is precious in the sight of God
withdrawal of nutrition and dehydration allowed but this is euthanasia
better end of life care needed
in Netherlands and state of Oregon where this is allowed requests have risen rapidly, 13% in Holland
doctors would have 'intent to kill' if this was passed into law
hospices provide excellent care
can choose Not To Be Resuscitated
spiritual and religious care is needed, hospitals need chaplains
this may promote suicide, depressive illnesses need diagnosis
only 6% patients in Netherlands see psychiatrist, all should have mental capacity assessment
2010 Director of Public Prosecutions guidelines say may face prosecution
talking about death is one of last taboos still
Motion that Commission is not independent and proposals will not protect people was carried, amended to affirm the value of human life and commend the hospice and palliative care movements and the church's involvement with the dying.
284 For/ 0 Against/ 4 Abstentions.
Had prepared a speech in agreement but was not called, lots of willing speakers.
Question time- over 100 questions submitted.
Some questions and responses:
- Exclusion of RE from English Baccalaureate, fall in PGCE places for RE- representations being made to Govt. OFSTED critical of RE teaching on Christianity, C of E must do its own review.
- Combining of Children's and Youth officers' posts- can this be delayed for consultation? Conclusion in March. Amount of money available not reduced, but too much money tied up in staff posts. Concern about liaison with Youth Council- someone will contact.
- Listed Places of Worship govt scheme- this was extended by govt for four years more from 2010. Grants have reduced from 71.7% of project to 45.9%. Govt have refused seasonal adjustment.
- When C of E priest wants to celebrate Holy Comm in Methodist church can have automatic reciprocity? Already available with diocesan permission, existing canon law.
- Higher Ed- will there be enough diversity of courses? Too much diversification at present. In future one suite of awards.
- Who is represented on higher ed curriculum working party? Ecumenical- URC, Baptist, Methodist confirmed.
- Rev Stephen Pratt asked who will monitor appropriate diversity of courses? Steering Group.
- Rev Stephen Pratt asked about costs of disruption to existing training institutions, will this deliver savings? Yes, minimum 3 yrs for transition, 1 additional post in ministry division to handle this.
- When will common curriculum start? Sept 2013
- Which universities in discussion? 10 but principal partner being sought.
- Can uni students still go to English College, Rome? Not so easy, older age profile of candidates, family commitments.
- Overseas members of link dioceses – still difficult to get visas? Improving situation, apply in plenty of time.
- Does Common tenure apply to Houses for Duty? Yes.
- Engaging with Olympics this year, any interfaith opportunities- More Than Gold, housing athletes' families, 26 dioceses with schemes, Get Set resource for schools.
- Challenging businesses and organisations promoting adultery? Faithfulness Matters- Mission and Public Affairs comm supporting this.
- Urban ministry- what are MPA's plans? Drawing together clergy experiences during riots. Need new staff member.
- MPA paper Church and Capitalism? Needs new web link.
- Joanna Monckton asked what steps being taken to allow Christians to express faith at work without losing jobs? Legal judgements are poorly reported, employers should understand existing rights.
- Elections to GS, what about review group? Submissions welcome.
- Joanna Monckton asked are there plans to stop clergy/lay husbands and wives sitting to PCCs? No.
- What do Gen Synods in London and York cost? Roughly the same.
- Can debate be held on civil partnerships in religious premises? Private member's motion available for signing [needs 100 signatures to come to debate].
- How much does it cost to deal with complaints against clergy/bishops? £22780 in 2011.
- Will Church Commissioners stop investing in oil? No, global economy needs fossil fuels.
- Is Darlow formula being reviewed? Will it penalise growth? [Darlow formula is used to calculate money given to dioceses that cannot afford all their ministers, including ours] Being reviewed for 2014-16 later this year, should not penalise growth.
- At seminar for Archbishops' Council and Church Commissioners 6 women out of 50 delegates. Any plans for improvement? At GS now 46% lay members, 28% clergy are women.
- Minority ethnic groups involvement in dioceses? Audit May 2011, data not robust.
- Any National Mission Action plan yet? Group has met twice, will be consulting diocesan missioners.
- How can lay members of church be more involved? Make a Difference campaign, ministry being re-imagined.
- How much is spent training new bishops? £4350 on each diocesan bishop, £1850 on suffragans.
- How many hermits being supported? At least 12 we know about!
- Should diocese have more than one cathedral? Yes, Ripon, Wakefield and Bradford have 3.
Will there be a debate on Christian initiation? Yes, full debate.
Evening meeting of Open Synod group. Address by Church Army worker with many anecdotes from her calling and her work. Discussion about women bishops and draft measure.
Went to cloakroom, got in lift with four others, alarm went off as door closed. All stuck in lift for 10 mins despite phoning reception [who telephoned engineer]. Men in lift pushed door open eventually. Vowed not to get into lift 3 again!
Back to UJ Club, got into shower and tried to adjust fast volume of water, knob came off in my hand! Bath filling rapidly and cannot see through water jet to put knob back so have very rapid shower and climb out thankfully with only small amount of floor flooded! What a day!!
Tues 7th Feb
9.30- 1.00
Draft Parochial fees from Archbishops' council
Fees will belong to Diocesan Board of Finance and PCCs in future, except for those with freehold posts. DBFs will decide fee levels for ministers not in receipt of stipend.
Lots of amendments suggesting changes in fees.
An understandable way of calculating fees at last, but still some odd figures..
Clergy time £27 per hour
Church building time £35.70 per hour
Verger's fee out of calculation and heating.
Funeral fee for church and crem held down. No fee for under 16 yr olds.
Complaints about costs of churchyard not included. Donations requested by some.
No fee for blessing marriage, marriage vows renewal.
Fee of £13 suggested for marriage certificate. Carried.
Some complaints about marriage fee hike, too much, but fees can be waived in hardship cases. Small part of total cost of wedding usually.
Fees passed with minor change.
Church Pensions
Report suggesting increasing contributions by 2%, risk split between diocese and parish.
Clergy discipline [draft amendment]
Rev Maureen Hobbs and Niall Blackie [Registrar] went to London to help draft amendment.
Clergy will not be allowed to belong to a list of banned organisations eg. Racist groups. Church must promote racial equality.
Clergy must inform bishop if they are placed on a banned list for criminal activity or divorcing.
Diocese in Europe [draft]
The diocese in Europe has grown to 300 congregations, 2 bishops, 170 clergy [40 self supporting] housing and offices funded by Church Commissioners. It has little investment and no endowment or glebe income, currently receives no money for mission work. It applied to be treated as other dioceses and be eligible for more funding. It now has a diocesan synod. It deals with refugees, workers in Europe and people from different ecumenical backgrounds.
Joanna Monckton spoke about the church in Corfu which needs a new roof and has to raise money locally.
GS voted to assist this diocese acknowledging that Church Commissioners only have the same amount of money to assist all.
2.30-5.30
Women Bishops- Presentation
This presentation was designed to update new members of GS with the new draft legislation.
The following points were made:
- Code must be legal.
- There must be a common approach in diocesan schemes.
- Two major problems: functions of male bishops where sharing is difficult; may create two tiers of bishop.
Aim is to: admit women as bishops, avoid two tiers of bishop with conflicts of authority with women, honour those who think differently about women/women bishops.
Lots of views from those who do not agree with women bishops having authority over men clergy and what happens when there are Letters of Request. Some people want male clergy ordained by male clergy etc.
Head of C of E is a woman, does every priest have to swear canonical obedience? Some just affirm it.
Discussion finished as this was a presentation.
Chichester motion- to allow deacons to become archdeacons[without being a priest]
What does an archdeacon do? Can those roles be filled by someone with no priestly experience? Lots of discussion about having authority over priests, exercising discipline, filling in for priests during absence, welcoming newly ordained, helping bishop when necessary etc. Motion was defeated.
Voting in houses
bishops 9 For, 21 Ag, 0 Abs
clergy 31 For, 118 Ag, 1 Abs
laity 53 For, 84 Ag, 0 Abs
Anglican Alliance
Presentation on RW's new charity, dealing with poverty, injustice and advocacy.
empowers church from grass roots up.
works with church and agencies
not a funding agency
adds value
builds capacity
bureaucracy 'lite'- 3 central employees, regional facilitators
development priorities include economic empowerment, peace and reconciliation, governance, climate change, youth empowerment, disabled, gender violence etc.
Examples were shown from Solomon Islands, working with young people, RCs. Diocese of Salisbury has links with Sudan, others with Latin America. Hope to transform relationships with Anglican Covenant partners.
New study modules for OU open to Anglicans.
First task was to map out what is already happening, now need to attract and maintain funding.
www.anglicanalliance.org
Stopped at 5.30 to go to Westminster Abbey.
6.15 Service of Reconciliation with URC [delighted to be there for this historic service as I worship in an Anglican/URC LEP].
Abbey service had examples of ministry of URC in 17th C, difficulties for those who could not accept Book of Common Prayer who were ejected from their livings.
Readings from Ephesians 4, 1-16, John 17, 20-23.
Address by RW inviting us all to grow into 'full stature of Christ'. Call for penitence and healing.
Music from Bach to Fred Kaan.
Went to evening meeting with WATCH to support the women in the church.
Weds 8th Feb
9.15-1.00
Eucharist
Emergency item on Nigeria
Bishop of Durham has just returned from Nigeria and wanted to inform everyone about the situation there. Violence is against all denominations of Christians and he is calling for protection of people of all faiths. 1400 killed post elections. Many reasons for violence including economics, ethnicity, religion, herdsmen v agriculturalists. Church is calling for self defence not retaliation.
Dr Chik Tan came for the day and made a powerful speech about working in Muslim countries, conflicts between Muslims and Christians about Sharia law, the central teachings of Islam; the silence of peace loving Muslims, the necessity for them to become more vocal and the jihad violence.
Others spoke about the oppression of Christian minorities, refugee influxes, the burning of shops and houses, helpful warnings given by local Muslims to their Christian neighbours, the revered status of former CMS missionaries. Comments were also made about the violence in Syria, Pakistan, Eritrea, the work of the Barnabus Fund, Keith Sutton's mission to S Africa for Desmond Tutu and the need for all Christians to have the same attitude 'Anyone who touches you touches us'.
Motion requesting Govt to support religious minorities of all faiths in Nigeria was passed. 344 For/ 0 Ag/1 Abs.
Draft Measure on Women Bishops
This was the discussion from the dioceses on the draft legislation to allow women to be bishops.
Dioceses had voted 42 For, 2 Ag.
Different statistics were explained.
Individual voting was ¾ in favour, ¼ ag. Or 73% cl, 73% lay.
Previously votes for women's ordination were 38 For, 6 Ag.
30 dioceses rejected the following motion.
Deanery statistics were not included.
Final approval needs vote of 2/3 maj in all houses [bish/clergy/lay]
This idea originally came from a Private Member's Motion [PMM]. The history of the process was explained. The need for clarity was emphasised in:
- equality of jurisdiction
- provision for the minority who do not want women bishops in the Measure
RW explained the two words:
- Derivation = authority to teach, administer sacraments, licence to perform duties
- Delegation= invite another bishop to act [not to become the authority]
References were made to the Archbishops' amendments- leaving the door open for the House of Bishops to make the necessary amendments to the legislation to make provision for minorities. Traditional Catholics and the conservative evangelicals are the two minority groups.
Emphasis was given to the position of dioceses who would be upset if there were now big changes to the legislation when they had made their opinions known. Different people reported on their discussions at diocesan synods. Generosity of spirit was called for by the traditionalists.
The amendments were then discussed, Southwark's amendment to see the draft legislation through without any further changes, Manchester's amendment to allow further changes to be made to protect the position of the minority.
There were 110 people wishing to speak about the motions!
Some of the following points:
the harm to the church if the diocesan synods' wishes were ignored
- the need to keep an honoured place for the minority
- having to leave the church if necessary
last chance to save the C of E
need to coordinate jurisdiction
clear lines of responsibility necessary
costs to everyone of not getting what we want
not necessary to tidy up the legislation
adequate as it is
not wanting women's and men's authority to be different
Manchester motion will divide people
Canon Peter Spiers moved an amendment to the Southwark motion to ask the House of Bishops 'not to amend the draft Measure substantially'.
The Archbishop of York spoke in favour of the Manchester motion as he is not satisfied with the draft Measure: we need a ministry to feed on Jesus, need to be gracious, making substantial changes does not mean changing the substance of the proposals.
The group of six was referred to, this being the two Archbishops, the two prolocutors [heads of clergy house] and the chair and vice chair of laity. They will make the decision whether or not to refer the Measure back to the dioceses.
Further discussion began along previous lines, then Sister Anita Smith spoke about the monastery at Whitby where St Hilda ruled both a men's and women's monastery with integrity. She supported women bishops having the 'rightful' same authority as men.
It was pointed out that the evangelical wing of the church is the fastest growing [3.5% last year] and we need to keep them on board. Others pointed out again that there are safeguards in the draft Measure, we have had a full year of debate and no need for anyone to change the draft. The prolocutor for clergy said that the Measure must not weaken the position of women or women would not vote for it, it would undermine the position of women bishops.
Peter Spier's amendment to the Southwark motion was then put. Carried-voting as follows:
Bishops 40 For, 5 Ag, 1 Abs
Clergy 122 for, 70 Ag, 1 Abs
Laity 107 For, 85 Ag, 4 Abs
Amendment carried.
Southwark right of reply , Rev Rosemarie Mallett spoke about division, barriers and delay. Voting on the Southwark motion as follows:
Bishops 26 For , 16 Ag, 5 Abs
Clergy 128 For, 68 Ag, 0 Abs
Laity 111 For, 85 Ag, 1 Abs
Motion carried.
Manchester motion then not voted on.
The debate was good humoured and less tense than previous discussions.
Appointment of the Chair of the Business Committee
The report suggested that the Chair should be elected from the whole GS.
This report was a the result of the disquiet that a bishop should chair this committee. Bishop of Willesden moved an amendment not to allow bishops to chair. This was voted against. 99 For, 103 Ag, 9 Abs.
Suggestions that ecumenical reps could speak to more debates were in the report.
The report was received.
In the evening Lichfield diocesan members with several other dioceses were invited to Lambeth Palace by RW. We enjoyed canapes and wine in a room filled with portraits of former Archbishops and warmed by a blazing log fire. I spoke to the Archbishop of York about the Manchester motion. Very good to relax after such an intense day of listening!
Thurs 9th Feb
9.30-1.00
Morning and evening worship was conducted each day. Today was the chaplain for the deaf. A visual and engaging service.
Additional Eucharistic Prayers
Trialled last year and revised in the light of comments received to:
- preserve their intention
- reflect C of E doctrine
- promote flow of service
Amendments were proposed to include more references to ascension [defeated], change 'Listen and you will hear' for deaf people.
Rev Chris Sims made his first speech about the use of visual stimulation for children in the form of pictures, drawings, signs, symbols. Hoped these would be used. Referred to line drawings in GNB and images as a help for those having English as second language.
Schools and chaplains waiting for these prayers, wider use beyond children for those with learning difficulties, older people.
Report was committed to House of Bishops.
Draft Measure on women bishops
Discussion on the Measure itself.
Bishop of Dover [Privy Councillor] said this Measure affects the Queen and the Prince of Wales who have delegated their authority to GS.
Again points were raised about delegation of authority and women having the same rights as men, the need for more consultation, having faith in the process, the consequences for the church, scepticism as Church of Ireland passed this in 2000, Church of Scotland in 2003 and still no appointments of women.
Reported conversation, 'Goodness me I already ordain women, what more do the girls want?' Reply, 'Bishop there are no girls, only women. We want to be treated the same as the men'.
C of E Youth Council rep expressed frustration at having to spend so much time on issues about bishops, sexuality and not mission. [How could you not agree with that!]
Voting on the draft Measure was:
Bishops 28 For, 0 Ag, 2 Abs
Clergy 149 For, 14 Ag, 8 Abs
Laity 132 For, 37 Ag, 10 Abs
Passed to House of Bishops.
Higher Education
Presentation.
23 training institutions currently, 1200 students, 19 validating universities.
Recommendation to move to single suite of awards and validations, partnerships with Methodists and URC.
Main fears- move to single curriculum, too many rapid changes. Will give financial savings as fees are rising, be taught ecumenically in part, have flexible start dates.
Proposed to move this into phase 3- mapping colleges/unis and curriculum. Discussions currently with 10 FE establishments. Aiming to have one central partner.
Christopher Corbett spoke to this to ask with higher standard of education required for Readers was there concern that this would reduce the number of people willing to give up their time and travel distances to learning centres. Reply was uncertain.
Lunchtime meeting with Pam Rhodes of 'Songs of Praise' fame and Christian media group. How to take advantage of multimedia to put our messages across. Am giving it a go with this blogging website!!
2.30-5.30
House of Lords Reform
Requesting working party to comment on reforms from church view. Carried.
Amended to invite working party to bring implications to GS in Feb2 2013. Second part of amendment to allow GS members to comment on proposals by email was defeated [difficulties in collating replies and making coherent response].
Comments were made about the second chamber, should it be elected, salaried, lack of representation of other faiths, time needed by bishops, reduction in the effectiveness of Parliament, appointment v democratic election ['The word of the people is not necessarily the word of God'], how retirements should be handled, position of hereditary peers, holding the Govt to account, should bishops have this as a main duty, need for expertise.
Motion carried.
Health Care and the Church's Mission
Call to Govt to ensure
chaplaincies are protected
NHS commited to physical, mental and spiritual health
free health care according to clinical need
commend work of mission agencies in health care worldwide
Comments about care in the community, the role of hospital chaplains, healing on the streets, engaging with other faiths in this work were made. Deaf Anglicans' chaplain made an appeal to protect their chaplaincy as it is much valued. Employees also need chaplains [NHS has 1.4m employees]. 20% beds occupied by people who do not need them, cannot be discharged. Care for people at end of life. Call for holistic practices to be recognised too, chiropractors, psychiatrists etc. An example was given of a practice nurse who has begun a chaplaincy in a GP practice.
Amendment to include health workers as well as patients was carried.
Motion carried-voting 208 For/ 0 Ag/ 1 Abs
After farewell to Bishop of Chichester, John Hind, we were sent on our way with the warning that there was 5 inches of snow in the Lincoln area, thankfully not in Wolverhampton! An uneventful journey home, head buzzing as usual...
Hope this gives you all a flavour, sorry it is so long but knew you would want to know the comments made, especially about women bishops.
Grateful thanks to the staff at Union Jack Club who make our stays pleasant.
Penny Allen
Lichfield 327
14/02/12
Evening meeting of Open Synod group. Address by Church Army worker with many anecdotes from her calling and her work. Discussion about women bishops and draft measure.
Went to cloakroom, got in lift with four others, alarm went off as door closed. All stuck in lift for 10 mins despite phoning reception [who telephoned engineer]. Men in lift pushed door open eventually. Vowed not to get into lift 3 again!
Back to UJ Club, got into shower and tried to adjust fast volume of water, knob came off in my hand! Bath filling rapidly and cannot see through water jet to put knob back so have very rapid shower and climb out thankfully with only small amount of floor flooded! What a day!!
Tues 7th Feb
9.30- 1.00
Draft Parochial fees from Archbishops' council
Fees will belong to Diocesan Board of Finance and PCCs in future, except for those with freehold posts. DBFs will decide fee levels for ministers not in receipt of stipend.
Lots of amendments suggesting changes in fees.
An understandable way of calculating fees at last, but still some odd figures..
Clergy time £27 per hour
Church building time £35.70 per hour
Verger's fee out of calculation and heating.
Funeral fee for church and crem held down. No fee for under 16 yr olds.
Complaints about costs of churchyard not included. Donations requested by some.
No fee for blessing marriage, marriage vows renewal.
Fee of £13 suggested for marriage certificate. Carried.
Some complaints about marriage fee hike, too much, but fees can be waived in hardship cases. Small part of total cost of wedding usually.
Fees passed with minor change.
Church Pensions
Report suggesting increasing contributions by 2%, risk split between diocese and parish.
Clergy discipline [draft amendment]
Rev Maureen Hobbs and Niall Blackie [Registrar] went to London to help draft amendment.
Clergy will not be allowed to belong to a list of banned organisations eg. Racist groups. Church must promote racial equality.
Clergy must inform bishop if they are placed on a banned list for criminal activity or divorcing.
Diocese in Europe [draft]
The diocese in Europe has grown to 300 congregations, 2 bishops, 170 clergy [40 self supporting] housing and offices funded by Church Commissioners. It has little investment and no endowment or glebe income, currently receives no money for mission work. It applied to be treated as other dioceses and be eligible for more funding. It now has a diocesan synod. It deals with refugees, workers in Europe and people from different ecumenical backgrounds.
Joanna Monckton spoke about the church in Corfu which needs a new roof and has to raise money locally.
GS voted to assist this diocese acknowledging that Church Commissioners only have the same amount of money to assist all.
2.30-5.30
Women Bishops- Presentation
This presentation was designed to update new members of GS with the new draft legislation.
The following points were made:
builds capacity
bureaucracy 'lite'- 3 central employees, regional facilitators
development priorities include economic empowerment, peace and reconciliation, governance, climate change, youth empowerment, disabled, gender violence etc.
Examples were shown from Solomon Islands, working with young people, RCs. Diocese of Salisbury has links with Sudan, others with Latin America. Hope to transform relationships with Anglican Covenant partners.
New study modules for OU open to Anglicans.
First task was to map out what is already happening, now need to attract and maintain funding.
www.anglicanalliance.org
Stopped at 5.30 to go to Westminster Abbey.
6.15 Service of Reconciliation with URC [delighted to be there for this historic service as I worship in an Anglican/URC LEP].
Abbey service had examples of ministry of URC in 17th C, difficulties for those who could not accept Book of Common Prayer who were ejected from their livings.
Readings from Ephesians 4, 1-16, John 17, 20-23.
Address by RW inviting us all to grow into 'full stature of Christ'. Call for penitence and healing.
Music from Bach to Fred Kaan.
Went to evening meeting with WATCH to support the women in the church.
Weds 8th Feb
9.15-1.00
Eucharist
Emergency item on Nigeria
Bishop of Durham has just returned from Nigeria and wanted to inform everyone about the situation there. Violence is against all denominations of Christians and he is calling for protection of people of all faiths. 1400 killed post elections. Many reasons for violence including economics, ethnicity, religion, herdsmen v agriculturalists. Church is calling for self defence not retaliation.
Dr Chik Tan came for the day and made a powerful speech about working in Muslim countries, conflicts between Muslims and Christians about Sharia law, the central teachings of Islam; the silence of peace loving Muslims, the necessity for them to become more vocal and the jihad violence.
Others spoke about the oppression of Christian minorities, refugee influxes, the burning of shops and houses, helpful warnings given by local Muslims to their Christian neighbours, the revered status of former CMS missionaries. Comments were also made about the violence in Syria, Pakistan, Eritrea, the work of the Barnabus Fund, Keith Sutton's mission to S Africa for Desmond Tutu and the need for all Christians to have the same attitude 'Anyone who touches you touches us'.
Motion requesting Govt to support religious minorities of all faiths in Nigeria was passed. 344 For/ 0 Ag/1 Abs.
Draft Measure on Women Bishops
This was the discussion from the dioceses on the draft legislation to allow women to be bishops.
Dioceses had voted 42 For, 2 Ag.
Different statistics were explained.
Individual voting was ¾ in favour, ¼ ag. Or 73% cl, 73% lay.
Previously votes for women's ordination were 38 For, 6 Ag.
30 dioceses rejected the following motion.
Deanery statistics were not included.
Final approval needs vote of 2/3 maj in all houses [bish/clergy/lay]
This idea originally came from a Private Member's Motion [PMM]. The history of the process was explained. The need for clarity was emphasised in:
need to coordinate jurisdiction
clear lines of responsibility necessary
costs to everyone of not getting what we want
not necessary to tidy up the legislation
adequate as it is
not wanting women's and men's authority to be different
Manchester motion will divide people
Canon Peter Spiers moved an amendment to the Southwark motion to ask the House of Bishops 'not to amend the draft Measure substantially'.
The Archbishop of York spoke in favour of the Manchester motion as he is not satisfied with the draft Measure: we need a ministry to feed on Jesus, need to be gracious, making substantial changes does not mean changing the substance of the proposals.
The group of six was referred to, this being the two Archbishops, the two prolocutors [heads of clergy house] and the chair and vice chair of laity. They will make the decision whether or not to refer the Measure back to the dioceses.
Further discussion began along previous lines, then Sister Anita Smith spoke about the monastery at Whitby where St Hilda ruled both a men's and women's monastery with integrity. She supported women bishops having the 'rightful' same authority as men.
It was pointed out that the evangelical wing of the church is the fastest growing [3.5% last year] and we need to keep them on board. Others pointed out again that there are safeguards in the draft Measure, we have had a full year of debate and no need for anyone to change the draft. The prolocutor for clergy said that the Measure must not weaken the position of women or women would not vote for it, it would undermine the position of women bishops.
Peter Spier's amendment to the Southwark motion was then put. Carried-voting as follows:
Bishops 40 For, 5 Ag, 1 Abs
Clergy 122 for, 70 Ag, 1 Abs
Laity 107 For, 85 Ag, 4 Abs
Amendment carried.
Southwark right of reply , Rev Rosemarie Mallett spoke about division, barriers and delay. Voting on the Southwark motion as follows:
Bishops 26 For , 16 Ag, 5 Abs
Clergy 128 For, 68 Ag, 0 Abs
Laity 111 For, 85 Ag, 1 Abs
Motion carried.
Manchester motion then not voted on.
The debate was good humoured and less tense than previous discussions.
Appointment of the Chair of the Business Committee
The report suggested that the Chair should be elected from the whole GS.
This report was a the result of the disquiet that a bishop should chair this committee. Bishop of Willesden moved an amendment not to allow bishops to chair. This was voted against. 99 For, 103 Ag, 9 Abs.
Suggestions that ecumenical reps could speak to more debates were in the report.
The report was received.
In the evening Lichfield diocesan members with several other dioceses were invited to Lambeth Palace by RW. We enjoyed canapes and wine in a room filled with portraits of former Archbishops and warmed by a blazing log fire. I spoke to the Archbishop of York about the Manchester motion. Very good to relax after such an intense day of listening!
Thurs 9th Feb
9.30-1.00
Morning and evening worship was conducted each day. Today was the chaplain for the deaf. A visual and engaging service.
Additional Eucharistic Prayers
Trialled last year and revised in the light of comments received to: