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.