I refute completely that the Church of England has managed to operate a practical polity. The practical polity is in fact extremely dysfunctional, cripples the ministry of women, in some diocese more than others, and has done nothing to bring about greater communion, but instead fosters division and discrimination and continues to damage the Church.
“Yesterday we learned that the Archbishops seem OK with proposing a compromise on women bishops that downgrades the status of all the women in the Church. It beats me how you can put that together with their upbeat view of evangelism. They might feel fine about evangelising people into a Church that continues to give women second class status. I do not.” – Maggi Dawn
The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs The Rev. Dr. Thomas Ferguson named Episcopal Church Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations Officer
“Please be assured that the Archbishop, and those of us who support his ministry, had no intention to slight the Presiding Bishop. Indeed, by ensuring that the legal formalities were observed it was hoped that she, and the Dean of Southwark, might be spared the embarrassment that might have flowed from any challenge to her presiding and preaching at the cathedral. The media interest provoked over the issue of vesture has, of course, undermined that hope – as your letter makes clear.” – The Revd Canon Anthony Ball
CANA has submitted a Notice of Intent to Apply for a Rehearing before the Supreme Court of Virginia in its property dispute with the Diocese
We noted that the Coordinating Council is not strictly speaking an ecumenical dialogue, but an instrument of Churches already in communion, so we will be be following up this matter with the Anglican Communion Office.
Will my hon. Friend pass back to the Synod the fact that we look forward in this House to having bishops chosen on merit, recognising that sex is not merit and that the Synod can throw out proposals that it does not like?
‘We will treat you like we would treat any other community. If you develop a congregation, then we’ll offer pastoral, priestly support if we can,” Tarrant said. There is no financial support forthcoming now from the diocese for any of the churches, Tarrant said, but he’s excited about the potential for renewal of at least some of the congregations.
Where can we go to find God in the silence in a connected world?
Casting a vision is hard work. The leader who rises to the challenge to cast a vision that truly inspires a congregation empowers members to embrace change. Wise leaders understand that the power of vision stems more from the vision itself than from the visionary.