The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt. Rev. Peter Price, insisted that the Covenant process was underway well before the election of Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. He referred to an Anglican Consultative Council document, Belonging Together (1992), which had a direct influence on The Virginia Report, much of which formed the basis of Covenant drafts.

Traditional Catholics, in the persons of the Bishop of Blackburn and the Rev. Simon Killwick (leader of the Catholic Group), signalled support for the Covenant as a means to provide greater coherence and integrity in Anglicanism.

A succession of speakers aired doubts. Would the Covenant undermine the autonomy of the Church of England or its prophetic spirit? Some thought that Covenant language like “relational consequences” spells a legalistic threat. Foremost among the doubters was the soon-to-retire Bishop of Lincoln, John Saxbee, who thought a Covenant is unnecessary since “Anglicanism is a covenant.”

Canon Elizabeth Paver, a member of the Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee, introduced a note of realism: in practice the Covenant will advise, never dictate; and it is vital that the Church of England “give some leadership” on the matter.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury • Anglican Covenant • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • CoE Bishops • Archbishop of York John Sentamu • * Theology • Ecclesiology

1. A Senior Priest wrote: Why don’t I care very much about this anymore? November 26, 5:34 pm | [comment link]

2. SC blu cat lady wrote: Let us face reality. There are many that will never sign on to any covenant as that “is not their thing”. Those who should never will.  I think the covenant will become just another piece of paper to be ignored by some. Ho hum….. November 26, 5:48 pm | [comment link]

3. Grandmother wrote: ” just another piece of paper to be ignored by some. Ho hum…..” Well, it doesn’t really matter according to the ABC.. Good if they do sign on, makes no difference if they don’t.. He said that in an interview.  I truly fail to see the point in any of it.. Besides, he thinks “indaba” will fix it all.. another quote from somewhere. Grandmother November 26, 7:24 pm | [comment link]

4. Br. Michael wrote: The key quote:  “in practice the Covenant will advise, never dictate;” so what is the point?  Endless discussion without resolution?  Total waste of time. November 26, 7:50 pm | [comment link]

5. Larry Morse wrote: Groundhog day.  Larry November 27, 12:28 am | [comment link]

6. lostdesert wrote: #5 Perfect reference.  Took me a minute.  It was worth the intellectual wait I was forced to endure due to myself.  Thanks for the laugh. November 27, 10:51 pm | [comment link]

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