What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Scotland Says No!

    The Scottish Episcopal Church has resoundingly rejected the Anglican Covenant as a way forward for the Anglican Communion. At the same time, the Synod passed a motion rejoicing in our commitment to the Communion itself. What we have said is No to the Covenant, but Yes to the Communion.

    The vote was decisive – 6 in favour of the motion adopting the Covenant, 112 against and 13 abstaining.

    Interestingly, I didn’t speak in the debate. I didn’t need to.

    Once upon a time, I would have been on my feet encouraging, threatening, cajoling. I’d have been sowing fear, uncertainty and doubt. I would have been at work behind the scenes, bending people’s ears, twisting people’s arms – all to get them to reject the Covenant.

    In the end, I didn’t need to. It just turned out to be something that the church overwhelmingly felt was not the way forward.

    We should not underestimate the significance of the decision though. It will resound around the communion. In the Church of England, there was not enough support in the dioceses to bring the thing to Synod. In Scotland, we took a different strategy – ensuring that it did come to Synod. We took a clear vote and said a clear no. We are the first province to reject the Covenant in a synodical vote, I think.

    No to the Covenant. Yes to the Communion.

    You heard that on this blog first.

    It is now the policy of this Province.

    Thanks be to God.

    , ,

5 responses to “Predictions for 2020”

  1. Meg Rosenfeld Avatar
    Meg Rosenfeld

    As an American of the Democratic persuasion, I hope you’re right about the upcoming presidential election . . . and fear that you’re right about the division of the country. Having gay friends who are devout Roman Catholics, I desperately hope you’re right about the Roman church becoming more supportive of LGBT folks. And I guess we can only keep praying about Equal Marriage in the Church of England. Probably it’s just a good idea to keep praying, eh?!

    Reply
  2. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    I think 6 is a certainty. I hope 8 isn’t. I think Starmer is the better choice.

    Reply
  3. Robert McLean Avatar
    Robert McLean

    Re No. 5, what is COP?

    Reply
    1. Kelvin Avatar
      Kelvin

      COP is the Conference of the Parties which will be held in Glasgow this year. It is the largest international conference on Climate Change at which governments and many other organisations are present.

      Reply
  4. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    I find myself wondering which reason will lie behind 1 – because a referendum won’t be called, or because people will still, for some reason, think it’s a good idea to hang on to Westminster rule. And I agree with 6 and with Rosemary about Starmer – who would seem to have emerged as the front runner.

    Reply

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