Slowing the death of Anglicanism in Great Britain

General Synod                                                                                            Source: Church of England

An analysis of  the votes for membership of the Church of England General Synod Elections 2021 shows a majority of the House of Clergy to be revisionists while the House of Laity reflect more orthodox Anglican views despite intensive canvasing by Inclusive Church to elect revisionists:

 House of Clergy

Orthodox – 79    (40%)

Revisionist – 83  (42%)

Unknown – 34    (17%)

House of Laity

Orthodox – 73    (37%)

Revisionist – 69  (35%)

Unknown – 55    (28%)

(Analysist's note: The labels Orthodox and Revisionist refer to the member’s position on blessing same-sex unions.)

As in Scotland and Wales bishops in the CofE are out of touch with views in the pews but in England there is some hope for Anglicanism in the House of Laity.

Commenting on the results the Rev Peter Ould wrote, "this puts to bed finally the misconception constantly spun by those wanting a change in the church’s teaching that the average person in the pews supports their position. In reality, the representatives of those in the pews were more likely to back someone who took a traditional stance than someone who wanted to revise the church’s teaching."

In Christian Today a different analysis led to the conclusion that "Church of England conservatives on marriage and sexual ethics have held their ground in this month's elections to the General Synod but have not made significant gains" leading a co-creator of the Thinking Anglicans website to predict "It is likely that following the Church in Wales vote to allow services of blessing for same-sex couples a similar proposal will go before the new Synod within the next two years."

Already leading the way on same sex marriage the bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church continue to show their contempt for orthodox Anglicans in the way they are handling the behaviour of their appointee, Anne Dyer, bishop of  Aberdeen & Orkney. Two reviews have recommended she “step back permanently” from the episcopate with immediate effect. Instead the bishops have chosen a mediation route to resolve the case, that is, to provide the result they want which is typical of revisionists. They persist until they win. 

The long suffering laity in Wales know only too well that their bishops regard themselves as the Church, manipulating Governing Body to do as they please.

The extending absence of the bishop of St Davids, who, like her Scottish counterpart, seems incapable of doing the decent thing and resign, calls into question the cosy structure the bishops have created for themselves. 

Following the extended absence of the former bishop of Monmouth, the review of which is still being massaged before release, one would have thought that the extended absence of another bishop while awaiting the appointment of a third would have at long last triggered a response to the recommendations of Section 15 of the 2012 Church in Wales Review: 

Recommendation XXII

There should be three administrative centres, one in the North

and two in the South and South West.

Recommendation XXIII

The Dioceses served by the three administrative centres should

form joint committees for all areas of work, unless there is an

overwhelming reason to keep a particular committee separate. 

Recommendation XXIV

The administrative centre in the North should also be the base for

the provincial work that relates most naturally to those offices of

the Welsh Government that are located in Llandudno. 

Recommendation XXV

The recommendations XXII, XXIII and XXIV should be reviewed

after three years and a judgement made about whether the

Church in Wales is best served by six dioceses with three

administrative centres or whether it would be more effective to

reduce to three dioceses, together with four area bishops.

While the Church in Wales has been turned upside down the bishops continue to do it their way, ignoring any recommendations that upset their privileged position.

Orthodox laity in England have shown that they can slow the death of their Church. Others should follow suit to protect the Anglican Church from its bishops.

Postscript [21.10.2021]

"Results of the General Synod (national church parliament) election in the Church of England indicate that conservative evangelicals will have the numbers to block changes such as authorising same-sex blessings or wedding ceremonies." Eternity News

Countdown to Compostela

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela                                                                                                                                                                    Source: aleteia.org

Reminder to all clergy and laity of the Diocese of Llandaff

Priests from more than 100 churches in Llandaff will be travelling to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain for their Clergy School which takes place from Monday, 13 May to Friday, 17th May, 2019. It will take the form of a pilgrimage

Much of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is closed due to renovation work as will be parishes in the diocese of Llandaff.

Clergy may wish to take a few extra Euros to purchase a guide book as a memento of what they have missed. Alternatively a free virtual tour of the pilgrimage Cathedral is available here, courtesy of turismo.gal.

The clergy school will provide a welcome break for exhausted clergy who have been unable to take time off after Easter.

Accommodation at Hospederia de San Martin de Pinario and charter flights are provided at diocesan expense but clergy are responsible for their own domestic arrangements.

During Lent the faithful should have been making Pipe-Cleaner Persons from 12 inch pipe cleaners as temporary cover for clergy pilgrims.

Some other points to consider:

Arrange for an idle parishioner to care for the vicarage cat(s).

Cancel the milk and any newspapers.

Check medication supplies; sick notes are to be avoided.

Currency for G&Ts and other clergy essentials.

Funerals should be deferred.

Priestly care for the poor, the sick, the needy and those in trouble must wait.

Yesterday's man

It doesn't say much for the new Archbishop of Wales when the old is invited to share his destructive views with Bangor clergy school.

Barry Morgan of all people! Wrecker in chief of the Church in Wales with his radical policies spouting a load of old cobblers.

He persists in perpetuating the myth that the clergy have to do everything - apart from working together.

There are some clergy who pull above their weight but there are others who are bone idle. I could give him a few names.

In reality hard working, conscientious clergy have simply had enough of politics. Many of the more able have jumped ship leaving Ministry Areas in Wales in a sorry state. Who better to blame than long suffering laity for supposedly leaving it all to the clergy.

Morgan should realise that many of the problems have been caused by forcing out hard working laity leaving the Church of Wales on the verge of collapse.

He doesn't give a damn for them, nor do the increasing numbers of senior staff left in charge while area cooperatives struggle to survive with inadequate pastoral support.

When he retired he pledged that he would not interfere. Another broken promise.

Sad, deluded and failure are three words that spring to mind.