Part 236. A deal in the offing?

The papers for the next meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England are published today. One paper is entitled:  

Living in Love, Faith, and Reconciliation 

Not, I hasten to add, my underlining. It is a 20 page document and I refrain from detailed analysis. The following points and observations stand out, well for me at least.

* There is an emphasis on the need for unity and respect for differing opinions. Mostly blather.

* Ten draft commitments are outlined. I was struck in particular by the 9th commitment relating to episcopay. Having learnt from the issue of women priests it is proposed that minimal formal structural change should be explored.

* The papers states approval of new services of blessing would have difficulty in achieving a two thirds majority in each of the three houses of Synod unless part of a settlement.

* The overall impression is that, in a bid to achieve a spurious unity at any cost, the interests of LBGTQ communities are to be sold down the river. The determining factor in negotiating a settlement will be the demands of conservative evangelicals and their conservative Anglo-Catholic collaborators.

* Discussion of same-sex marriage is off the agenda until at least after the 2025 General Synod elections.