LLF and General Synod: ‘all fouled up’ or ‘beyond repair’?
by Ian Paul and Andrew Goddard, Psephizo:
Summary: The new paper for February’s General Synod lifts the lid on much that has previously been kept under cover in terms of both significant decisions by bishops and the content of legal advice. What it reveals is not a pretty sight and brings to light the depths of the problems. Drawing on a fuller narrative account, this article highlights 7 disturbing features evident in relation to the process and the actions of the House of Bishops. These cumulatively suggest we should no longer simply resign ourselves to the problems with LLF/PLF being a case of SNAFU (Situation Normal, All Fouled Up) but rather admit we are now, perhaps even systemically, at the stage of FUBAR (Fouled Up Beyond All Repair) given the evidence of:
- Concealing decisions from General Synod;
- Concealing advice from General Synod;
- Misleading General Synod;
- Disregarding General Synod;
- Deciding without sufficient information or contrary to advice;
- Voting to break commitments, including concerning law and doctrine;
- Ignoring their own decisions as the House of Bishops.
Andrew Goddard writes: It has been clear for some time that the Living in Love and Faith/Prayers of Love and Faith (LLF/PLF) process has been “another fine mess”, even an omnishambles, with serious concerns relating to the exercise of (archi-)episcopal power. Once the information contained in the newly released GS 2346 is considered, and the revelations within it are set within the wider chronology and a narrative of recent events, the situation becomes even worse. In what increasingly feels like it is becoming an ecclesial war zone, it may be that we simply have to revert to appropriately bowdlerised military slang and accept that as more is made known about how we got to where we are this is a classic case of SNAFU (Situation Normal, All Fouled Up). The problem is that many people are so confused that they have concluded that the process is also now FUBU (Fouled Up Beyond Understanding). The reality may, in the light of the new evidence, prove it is in fact FUBAR (Fouled Up Beyond All Repair) and that the level of reset required is of a different form and even more significant than has been admitted or is currently proposed.
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