In some ways the nuances of the Church of England’s General Synod is probably as hard for Episcopalians to catch as our General Convention is for the CoE types. But there are some issues coming up in the next General Synod that could have implications for the relationship between the Episcopal Church and the Church of England so it’s worth trying to follow it all this year.
The BBC has posted a helpful guide to General Synod here.
It points out, in part, some of the topics to be considered:
Delegates are looking forward to hearing how the Church plans to implement the introduction of women bishops – once the first one is elected. At issue is the extent to which traditionalists are “protected” from having to serve under a woman bishop.
However, the committee charged with refining the legislation has already admitted that it has not managed to finish its work.
Both supporters and opponents of women bishops are impatient about the delay in finishing the debate.
Relations with Anglicans in North America will be in the spotlight again, with a call for the Church to recognise conservative dioceses in the US, which have broken away from the mainstream Episcopal Church over its liberal approach to homosexuality.