32 Synod delegates publicly express “lack of confidence” in C of E Shared Conversations process
[Editor’s note]: This short statement has just been released by a group of clergy and laity who, as members of General Synod, were present in the context in which the Shared Conversations took place. Some of the group did not take part in the Conversations on principle, having already decided that the process was flawed; the majority of those on the list did take part.
It must be assumed that there were others who shared similar serious reservations about the Conversations having taken part, but who have not for whatever reason signed the list. Among them is Revd Dr Ian Paul, a member of Archbishop’s Council, who has written consistently to explain and defend the church’s historic teaching, and has strongly criticised the Conversations process here.
If a significant section of the Church’s governing body are prepared to publicly dissent in this way, then serious questions remain about the viability of maintaining surface unity in the church while allowing contradictory doctrinal positions.
THE STATEMENT FOLLOWS HERE:
“We, the undersigned members of the General Synod, wish to express our lack of confidence in the process of the Shared Conversations. Whatever their stated purposes, the outcome has not led to a greater confidence that the Church will be guided by the authoritative voice of the Scriptures, and its decisive shaping of traditional Anglican teaching, in any forthcoming discussions.”
Rosemary Lyon – Blackburn
Stephen Boyall – Blackburn
Kathy Playle – Chelmsford
Mary Durlacher – Chelmsford
David Banting – Chelmsford
Debbie Woods – Chester
Jeremy Harris – Chester
Lorna Ashworth – Chichester
Andrea Minichiello Williams – Chichester
Rachel Bell – Derby
Giles Williams – Europe
Helen Lamb – Ely
William Belcher – Gloucester
Chik Kaw Tan – Lichfield
Shaun Morris – Lichfield
Chris Gill – Lichfield
Debbie Buggs – London
Sarah Finch – London
Clive Scowen – London
Charlie Skrine -London
Margaret Parrett – Manchester
Caroline Herbert – Norwich
Graham Caskie – Oxford
Andrew Bell – Oxford
Andrew Presland – Peterborough
Mark Lucas – Peterborough
Ian Dobbie – Rochester
Angus MacLeay – Rochester
Jane Patterson -Sheffield
Brian Wilson – Southwark
Susie Leafe – Truro
Chris Fry – Winchester
Read also:
Shared Conversations: a snapshot of the C of E, and a pointer to the future? By Andrew Symes, Anglican Mainstream
A list of selected articles on the Shared Conversations and the wider debate on sexuality within the C of E can be found here
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