Monday, November 03, 2008

Mixed response to Sydney communion decision

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3203

[Religious Intelligence] 3 Nov 2008--Sydney Anglican synod's vote in favour of male and female deacons officiating at Holy Communion has provoked impassioned debate in England.

The director of Forward in Faith, Stephen Parkinson, said: “If the Archdiocese of Sydney did [allow female deacons to officiate Holy Communion] they would be throwing something of a hand-grenade into that mess that is the world-wide Anglican Communion.”

The Bishop of North Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, said that there was no legal impediment to deacons presiding, given that, under a 1985 General Synod canon, deacons are authorised to assist the priest in the administration of the sacraments. While lay presidency would require a licensing from the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, he would be powerless now to stop women deacons conducting the Eucharist.

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