The
focus of the past Church of England General Synod, and of coverage of it, was
sex and gender issues. And as
deplorable as the measures passed in those areas are, what is more deplorable
is what General Synod did not do.
To me at least, the silence is deafening.
General
Synod, to my knowledge*, spent not one minute addressing the Philip North affair. The Synod, along with the
Archbishops of Canterbury and York, bent over backwards to make gays and
transgenders welcomed and affirmed.
Sentamu was particularly loquacious in that regard. But where was the welcome affirming
inclusion for traditional Christians?
The
North debacle sent the strong message that when it comes to diocesan
bishoprics, traditionalists need not apply. Oh, traditionalists are welcome . . . to stay in their
ghettos. But forget about moving
on up.
There
was perhaps not a more urgent matter for General Synod but to counteract that
message, to make clear that what happened to North should not have happened and
will not happen in the future. A
censure of the Dean of Christ Church Oxford would have been appropriate, too,
but I am really dreaming there.
But
instead, nothing.
People
can put up with a lot if they know they are welcomed and appreciated. But if given the opposite message, if
treated like third class citizens, most people will eventually walk away. The Church of England should not be
surprised if traditionalists of both Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical stripes
soon walk away in greater numbers.
And the Church of England and General Synod will only have itself to
blame.
*I’ve
searched and searched for any mention of the North affair at General Synod and
have found none. If I missed
something, feel free to let me know in the comments.
