TEA and the diocesan synods: what if it’s the new Option G?
Posted: 02 Nov 2006 @ 00:00
From Canon Christopher Hall
Sir, — This sad Synodoholic watched
the recording of the women-bishops debate on BBC Parliament with a sense of
déjà vu.
In 1981, the Synod, after a decade of debate, approved in principle the
remarriage of divorced people in church. In an attempt to win the final
acceptance even of the indissolubilists, "Option G" was referred to the
dioceses. Its complexities won little acceptance, and thus delayed for a decade
the wide implementation of the principle.
TEA is intended to maximise consensus, but, if it is to meet all the
lawyers’ concerns, will its complexities also sink the proposals when referred
to the dioceses, and thus postpone sine die the first women bishops in
the Church of England? Will those who have no intention of voting for final
approval seek to multiply TEA’s complexities?
When the proposal is referred to the dioceses, there needs to be the option
of saying yes to proceeding with the principle if TEA is not endorsed.
CHRISTOPHER HALL
The Knowle, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TB
From Mr N. J. Inkley
Sir, — In the matter of women priests and bishops, I wish the General Synod
would give the Church a lead more in keeping with the parable of the labourers
in the vineyard. There, those who had laboured long (and holding to their
early-day views, no doubt) received their penny in equal measure with the new
arrivals bringing their later-days views with them. There was no mention of
zero and tuppence.
NEIL INKLEY
6 Knot Lane, Walton-le-Dale, Preston PR5 4BQ