The Portal March 2019 | Page 11

THE P RTAL March 2019 Page 11 CofE February Anglican General Synod News The Rev’d Paul Benfield keeps us up to date I am writing this piece on the morning of the first day of the February Sessions of the General Synod. The House of Clergy and the House of Laity are to meet separately at 12.30pm to discuss the proposed Covenant on Clergy Wellbeing and the Clergy Remuneration Package. The full Synod meets at 2pm for the usual introductions and welcomes of new members and guests. We will welcome the Most Reverend Dr Prem Chand Singh, Moderator of the Church of North India and Bishop of Jabalpur, the Most Reverend Zacharie Masimango Katanda, Archbishop of Congo and Bishop of Kindu, and the Right Reverend Paul Korir, Bishop of Kapsabet in the Anglican Church of Kenya. This time there are no fewer than 120 questions, which is far more than usual. Many are on the recent Pastoral Guidance issued by the House of Bishops on welcoming transgender people by using the Affirmation of Baptismal Vows. This will be followed by the usual debate on the Report by the Business Committee when members can comment on the agenda. If this follows the usual course there will be complaints that there are too many presentations (during which Synod members are ‘talked at’). There seems to be growing discontent with the proposed dates for sittings from 2021 to 2023. Can the House of Bishops confirm that, under their Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition of December 2018, they would commend reaffirmation of baptismal faith in a celebratory service to mark the gender transition of a married ordinand or their spouse but that, under their February 2014 Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage, such a married ordinand would, as a result of that transition, cease to be eligible to take vows of ordination? The difficulties the House of Bishops has created for itself is well illustrated by a question from a Lichfield member The Business Committee conducted a survey of members about when to meet in London. Should this be on weekdays or should it include Saturdays? The Bishop of Willesden is to reply on behalf of the The overwhelming response was that Saturdays were Chair of the House of Bishops: not popular because of difficulties with travelling home for those from outside the South East due to The House prefers not to comment on hypothetical railway engineering work, but Saturdays are still being or individual circumstances. However, the Guidance proposed. This promises to be the most contentious states that: debate in what is a fairly anodyne Synod. ‘Everyone’s journey through life is unique. We then have a presentation on ‘Evangelism and Baptism is the place where we find our true Discipleship: Perspectives from the Wider Anglican identity in Christ. As with all pastoral encounters Communion’, followed by a presidential address by with people negotiating major life events, the Archbishop of Canterbury. After ratifying the ministers will wish to respond sensitively and appointment of the Chair of the Church of England creatively to the person’s circumstances.’ Pensions Board and the appointment of two members of the Archbishops’ Council, we conclude the day with ‘Where questions arise for bishops regarding Questions. care and oversight of trans ordinands and clergy, they are welcome to consult the Pastoral Questions may be asked of any body or person Advisory Group, part of whose role is ‘to assist answerable to Synod. They have to be submitted in the sharing of knowledge and an appropriate advance and members receive written answers a few level of national consistency in approach.’ days before Synod meets. There is then an opportunity to ask supplementary questions.