Part 227: Living in Love and Faith update

The latest position on the Love and Living in Faith journey looks like this (I think).  The talk now is not of 'structured differentiation' but of the Conservative Evangelicals preferred word 'settlement'.  The intention of those leading the development of a settlement is to present to the February meeting of General Synod a paper outlining proposed 'commitments' intended to form the basis for an initial settlement document to be put to the Synod in July. The final settlement proposals will be presented at the February 2025 meeting.  All this presupposes smooth progress, not be regarded as a given. To the chagrin of many the commitments look likely to be a bid for plurality holding equal status for the liberals and conservatives.  

Meanwhile no progress is being made on implementing the decision of General Synod to permit stand alone services of blessing for individuals in same-sex civil marriages.  It is understood the House of Bishops had a majority for a trial period for such services but the two Archbishops in effect vetoed such a move.

It is to be hoped that when the eventual settlement proposal comes before General Synod its approval in contingent on Synod approving by a two-thirds majority the use of stand alone services.

The overall impression one has is of the Archbishop of Canterbury striving at any cost  to maintain the unity of the Anglican Communion and at the same time attempting to prevent the breakup of the Church of England. Sadly the pain and anguish of gay individuals is collateral damage. It is a disgrace.