By Rosie Dawson Correspondent Dioceses in the Church of England will have their “feet held to the fire” as the Archbishops’ Commission on Racial Justice tours the country to examine their racial justice work. The commission, set up in response to the report From Lament to Action (published April 2021), will review all aspects of the church’s work on racial justice. It is … [Read more...] about ‘Holding Feet to the Fire’ on Racial Justice in C of E
General Synod
C of E Synod: Financial Woes, Safeguarding & Boilers
By Mark Michael Financial worries, varied progress on safeguarding and evangelism, and new specs for church boilers dominated conversation at the February session of the Church of England’s General Synod, held February 8-10 at Church House in London. A testy exchange over the hiring of the church’s new appointments secretary, Stephen Knott, provided a rare moment of drama in … [Read more...] about C of E Synod: Financial Woes, Safeguarding & Boilers
Communion Could Have More Say in Choosing ABC
By Mark Michael Representatives from across the Anglican Communion may have a stronger role in choosing its next spiritual leader, if a proposal currently being floated by the Church of England Archbishops’ Council is ultimately approved. Advocates propose to alter the allotment of seats on the 16-member Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) which selects the Archbishop of … [Read more...] about Communion Could Have More Say in Choosing ABC
‘Fiercely Contested’ Church of England Synod Gathers
By Rosie Dawson Correspondent The Church of England’s General Synod began its new five-year term in November after the most fiercely contested elections in its 50-year history. It was the first time since 1970 that the Queen was absent from the opening of a new synod. She was represented by her son Prince Edward, the Duke of Wessex, who read a message from her commending the … [Read more...] about ‘Fiercely Contested’ Church of England Synod Gathers
C of E Debates Parish System, Unity, Clergy Discipline
By Mark Michael Anxiety about the future of the Church of England’s parish system, unity across differences over the ordination of women, and the adequacy of its clergy discipline system featured prominently in the latest semiannual session of its General Synod, held online July 9-12. Parish System In his opening presidential address, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell … [Read more...] about C of E Debates Parish System, Unity, Clergy Discipline
News Analysis: Toronto Priests Urge ‘Ceasefire’ From Churchwide Division
By Mark Michael Five prominent conservative priests of the Diocese of Toronto have issued a plea to the Anglican Church of Canada’s House of Bishops for a “20-year ceasefire” in intra-church conflict about human sexuality. In an open letter published in response to their Diocesan Synod, they propose establishing a church-wide system of divided episcopal oversight. Clergy … [Read more...] about News Analysis: Toronto Priests Urge ‘Ceasefire’ From Churchwide Division
Canadian Conservatives Issue Post-Synod Call to Humility, Faithfulness
By Mark Michael A coalition of conservative Canadian Anglicans have issued a statement praising the Anglican Church of Canada’s recent narrow decision to retain its traditional definition of marriage, while pointedly criticizing an opinion by the church’s chancellor that is being used to permit “local option” for same-sex marriage. The Communion Partners and the Anglican … [Read more...] about Canadian Conservatives Issue Post-Synod Call to Humility, Faithfulness
Same-Sex Marriage Canon Narrowly Fails in Canada
By Mark Michael The Anglican Church of Canada will maintain its traditional definition of marriage, as a resolution to amend the church’s marriage canon to allow for same-sex marriage fell two votes short of passage by General Synod at its meeting in Vancouver on July 12. A majority of delegates in all three orders (laity, clergy and bishops) voted to back the change, and … [Read more...] about Same-Sex Marriage Canon Narrowly Fails in Canada