The Synod has finally acknowledged the need for reform and committed to the structural changes we demanded. My heart is full knowing that our persistence forced the leadership to confront this broken process head on. We will keep watching closely to ensure these promises translate into real actions.
February 1, 2013
Final supporters
Personal Introduction
AFTER THE RECENT DEBACLE in General Synod in which a minority within the House of Laity were allowed to hold sway over the proceedings by blocking draft legislation for women bishops in the Church of England, I find myself asking, quite simply, is General Synod fit for purpose?
How can a governing body that repeatedly fails to ratify the clear wishes of the vast majority of its members be regarded as fit for purpose? Upon what basis does the Church of England continue to allow the tail to wag the dog?
To the majority in the House of Laity who voted in favour of the legislation: I salute you - thank you. But I must nonetheless ask how we have reached the point where the wishes of that majority are so easily undermined? The decision of the House of Laity does not represent the laity at large, and this is fundamentally wrong: a vociferous minority have infiltrated the House and thus done away with the possibility of true lay representation within Synod itself.
No Confidence
We the undersigned therefore hereby lodge a vote of no confidence in General Synod until such time as it can bring its affairs into order by effecting a genuinely democratic voting system that gives a fair and proper representation to its members in place of the current inequitable system.
The Petition
We call upon the Archbishops' Council and the House of Bishops to conduct an urgent review into the rules of governance in Synod to correct this grossly unfair system; and if the matter is not resolved before his enthronement, we further call upon Archbishop Designate the Rt Revd Justin Welby to make addressing this inequitable situation one of his first priorities following his installation at Canterbury.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 1, 2012
December 1, 2012
Watching these numbers climb reminds me that I am far from alone in feeling betrayed by how our church is governed. We are nearing a significant milestone that will show the leadership exactly how many people have lost faith in their current process. Please take a moment to ask your friends to sign so we can show them the true scale of our frustration.
November 26, 2012
Seeing one hundred people sign this confirms I am not alone in my frustration with how our church is being governed. It is heartening to know that so many of you share the belief that our current leadership structure is broken.
Reached 100 supporters
November 24, 2012
6 Comments
SO frustrating to watch this happen over and over. Fix it.
The synod is stuck in the past and its hurting the church. We need real leadership that reflects what everyone actually wants.
Its time to move into the 21st century. The church is looking so out of touch with reality.
Total embarrassment. How can they keep ignoring the majority like this? Need a serious change at the top.
The tail wagging the dog is exactly right. Sick of the gridlock.
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The Synod has finally acknowledged the need for reform and committed to the structural changes we demanded. My heart is full knowing that our persistence forced the leadership to confront this broken process head on. We will keep watching closely to ensure these promises translate into real actions.
February 1, 2013
Final supporters
Personal Introduction
AFTER THE RECENT DEBACLE in General Synod in which a minority within the House of Laity were allowed to hold sway over the proceedings by blocking draft legislation for women bishops in the Church of England, I find myself asking, quite simply, is General Synod fit for purpose?
How can a governing body that repeatedly fails to ratify the clear wishes of the vast majority of its members be regarded as fit for purpose? Upon what basis does the Church of England continue to allow the tail to wag the dog?
To the majority in the House of Laity who voted in favour of the legislation: I salute you - thank you. But I must nonetheless ask how we have reached the point where the wishes of that majority are so easily undermined? The decision of the House of Laity does not represent the laity at large, and this is fundamentally wrong: a vociferous minority have infiltrated the House and thus done away with the possibility of true lay representation within Synod itself.
No Confidence
We the undersigned therefore hereby lodge a vote of no confidence in General Synod until such time as it can bring its affairs into order by effecting a genuinely democratic voting system that gives a fair and proper representation to its members in place of the current inequitable system.
The Petition
We call upon the Archbishops' Council and the House of Bishops to conduct an urgent review into the rules of governance in Synod to correct this grossly unfair system; and if the matter is not resolved before his enthronement, we further call upon Archbishop Designate the Rt Revd Justin Welby to make addressing this inequitable situation one of his first priorities following his installation at Canterbury.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 1, 2012
December 1, 2012
Watching these numbers climb reminds me that I am far from alone in feeling betrayed by how our church is governed. We are nearing a significant milestone that will show the leadership exactly how many people have lost faith in their current process. Please take a moment to ask your friends to sign so we can show them the true scale of our frustration.
November 26, 2012
Seeing one hundred people sign this confirms I am not alone in my frustration with how our church is being governed. It is heartening to know that so many of you share the belief that our current leadership structure is broken.
Reached 100 supporters
November 24, 2012
6 Comments
Enough is enough. My faith is in the people not the institution dragging its feet.
SO frustrating to watch this happen over and over. Fix it.
The synod is stuck in the past and its hurting the church. We need real leadership that reflects what everyone actually wants.
Its time to move into the 21st century. The church is looking so out of touch with reality.
Total embarrassment. How can they keep ignoring the majority like this? Need a serious change at the top.
The tail wagging the dog is exactly right. Sick of the gridlock.
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Enough is enough. My faith is in the people not the institution dragging its feet.