I, along with several others, recieved a wonderful letter this week from Fr. Simon Kilwick (Chair of the General Synod Catholic Group). I wish to share it with you. As many of you know I travelled to York with other young priests, seminarians and their families in order to campaign on behalf of those who in all conscience cannot accept the sacramental validity of women in holy orders. As the Synod had already decided to press ahead with women Bishops we hoped that adequate provision would be made for our minority by a church that purports to be inclusive, generous and broad. Alas it wasn’t to be- indeed we were dealt with in a most treacherous, rude and unpleasant manner (see my page on General Synod- the good, the bad and the ugly linked on the right under pages). This ghastly manner in which Synod has conducted itself has obviously rocked many faithful Christians-whose only crime is to believe what all serious churches teach and what has been the clear practice of the church throughout the ages. This letter follows in the wake of all that has happened – as we try to discern our future in the Church of England and fight to retain for our children and grand-children a dignified and rightful place at the table, without being bullied into unscriptural belief and practice by those in authority.
Dear Fathers and brothers,
I am writing on behalf of the Catholic Group to thank you very much indeed for coming to York to meet members of the General Synod at our Receptions; I am sorry this comes to you rather late. You all did a superb job in mingling with Synod members and talking to them about our Catholic position. You were also a great encouragement to members of the Catholic Group; the ability of our constituency to attract young clergy an ordinands of such high calibre is a great sign of hope, wherever our longer-term future may be.
We were all shocked at the atmosphere in, and the outcome of, the debate on the House of Bishops’ motion. Previously, the Synod had rejected calls for the so-called single clause Measure on three separate occasions. However, the support of the majority of the House of Bishops for the code of practice option meant that many members of Synod changed and voted with the “establishment”, as they often do (it is the default position for many Synod members). Somehow, the two Archishops did not get their views across clearly enough, but they are determined to try and redeem the situation, as indeed are the Catholic Group and Forward in Faith.
There is still a long way to go in the Synod’s processes before there may be women bishops. The legislation will not come up for Final Approval until 2012 at the earliest; on this July’s voting figures, it will not pass, because it will need a two-thirds majority in all three Houses of the Synod, and that was lacking in the House of Laity. The lay vote against has increased in recent years: in 2005 it was 32%, in 2006 36% and this year 38%.
Legislation will be drafted over the next few months to be introduced formally into the Synod next year. Then a Revision Committee will be set up, at which all different kinds of amendments can be proposed. Legislation is regularly changed in significant ways in Revision Committees of the Synod; it is entirely possible that a better provision for us can be introduced at the Revision Committee stage. Forward in Faith and the Catholic Group are absolutely determined to do our best to get proper ecclesial provision.
The Catholic Group will play its part to the full in the coming synodical processes. In 2010, there will be a general election to the Synod, in which it will be vital to have a good number of Catholic candidates standing across the country. I very much hope that some of you will consider standing, and would be grateful if you would let me know if you would be interested.
We live in uncertain times – uncertain for us ecclesiastically and professionally, and uncertain for many lay people in terms of their jobs and homes in the current economic climate. If God has called us, it is for a purpose which we must seek out and fulfil. It has always been the vocation of Catholic Anglicans to witness to the Catholic Faith, to and within the Church of England. It would seem to be our duty to continue to do just that for as long as it is possible to do so with integrity, which is certainly the case unless and until the first woman bishop is consecrated. Unofficial Roman sources indicate that they want us to do our duty in the CofE for as long as it is possible; and, of course, the Roman Church is very keen on duty. If this is the way of the cross, it is the way of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest; it is the way to life and everlasting salvation.
Forward in Faith has always been committed to finding a corporate way forward for us all, and I do believe that a corporate approach is an essentially Christian approach. Thank you again for your presence with us, and hard work at York ; it was, as I said, an enormous encouragement to us all. May I also say a big thank you to your wives and families who also came and supported us; theirs was an important witness too, and a delightful encouragement to the all the Catholic Group.
God bless you all,
Father Simon Killwick
(Chairman of the Catholic Group in General Synod)
The Revd. Canon S.D.A. Killwick
