Synod Observers Group 2010

Report by Edward Keene

The main item on the agenda for these sessions, the last of the quinquennium (Synodical term of office), was, inevitably, Women Bishops (cue *collective yawn*). The revision committee stage of this lethargically drawn out legislative process was concluded by the synod agreeing to accept the committee’s revisions and reports which had been 18 months in the making. Thus the imaginatively titled ‘Revision Stage’ began. Note the difference. The legislation produced by revision committee represented the bare minimum of what they could have come up with on the mandate as charged by synod in February 2009; that is, single clause legislation with the measly concession of a discretionary legislative code of practice exercisable by the diocesan in favour of orthodox parishes. Whilst this satisfied the liberal lust for woman bishops with all their ‘ecclesiastical bits’ intact, it raised the obvious spectre of a particularly militant woman bishop electing not to observe the code of practice and persecuting a minority of parishes under their own pastoral care.

Three key amendments kept the synod awake through most of Saturday - one from Fr Killwick for additional dioceses, one from Rev'd Rod Thomas for complementary/alternative episcopal oversight, and one - much commented on - from the Archbishops for complementary jurisdiction. All would have satisfied orthodox sentiment, but none were accepted. Additional dioceses would have been cumbersome and uncomfortably separatist, but nevertheless reassuring, whilst alternative oversight would have represented in many ways the highest degree of continuity with extant arrangements. However the Archbishops’ suggestion would certainly have been the most elegant solution, with the dispute over mono-Episcopal authority smothered under a very Anglican blanket of poly-Episcopal non-geographic shared ecclesial hierarchy. In short, women bishops - all bishops in fact - would have all their ‘bits’ but would share headship with other bishops in just the same way that the Archbishops themselves share primatial headship over both provinces of the Church of England (Ebor being the Primate of England, Cantuar the Primate of All England). A clear majority of the synod supported the amendment in the final vote but thanks to an untimely call for vote by houses - and the narrow opposition of the house of clergy - the motion fell.

Synodical revision was completed on the Monday. The legislation now moves to the dioceses, a majority of which (I.e. at least 23) must approve it. This will be no obstacle for backers, given the general desire of the church for women in episcopacy and a lack of conversance at lower levels with the minutiae of provision, procedure, and revision. It will then return to General Synod in the present form in 2012/13 for final approval - approval which is less likely to materialise following the events of the Saturday. The two thirds majority that will be needed in all houses at the end of the process has never been present in the house of laity. Whether this position hardens or softens following the elections this summer will determine whether the first woman bishop is seen in 2014 or many years later.

York’s presidential address focused on the economic climate, whilst his sermon at the minster service considered neighbourliness. Worship at the synod was the usual fare of mildly catholic eucharistic celebration. Perhaps this will be shaken up a little with a new chaplain. CEYC’s own Charlotte Cook arranged evening worship on the Friday with environmental liturgy from the Iona Community. The new additional weekday lectionary was passed with the minor amendments requested by the last sessions. There are now four such lectionaries to choose from - too many for a church to have a genuine common life, argued one member. Sunday afternoon was dulled by a particularly uninspired series of ecumenical pleasantries for the benefit of the Scottish Episcopal Church. A member from Ely made the obvious point about the need for real ecumenism - not just the bland high-level committee-based exchanges and visiting speeches that currently pass for ‘growing unity in the gospel’. Perhaps the most encouraging moment of the synod came when Rev'd Richard Moy, in the course of proposing his Fresh Expressions resources PMM showed a wonderful video entitled ‘that’s my king!’. Look it up on YouTube.

Farewells were poignant for many members of the synod who are resigning - some after many decades of service. The grandest of these grandees - Canon Alan Cooper steps down after 45 years’ continuous membership, the first five of which were spent on the Church Assembly - the fore-running institution to General Synod. I was pleased to shake his hand. Also lamented will be such luminaries as Christina Baxter, chairman of the house of laity, John Bullimore, a regular chairman of debates, Norman Russell, the prolocutor of Canterbury, and Prof Anthony Thistleton, who celebrated his 73rd birthday over the weekend (with a helpful reminder from the dais). Clergy and laity now all face elections. Bishops can rest easy and watch as the ‘action’ unfolds. May the most worthy proctors win!