Synod Report Monday 11th

http://www.evangelicals.org/news.asp?id=820

[EV News] 12 Feb 2008--Separate meetings of the House of Laity and the House of Clergy were held to discuss the proposals to transfer parsonage which forms part of the Terms of Service Legislation.

The Synod Group of Sessions began at 3.15 with a prolonged standing ovation for the Archbishop of Canterbury who was chairing the first business. The Synod is packed and there are a large number of pres both inside and outside the chamber to hear the Presidential Address.

Details of the progress of legislation was given.

The Archbishop of Canterbury gave his Presidential Address speaking about three subjects. Before he spoke he was given a prolonged standing ovation by the majority of Synod members, indicating that whatever he says the Synod is not going to take issue with him.

First he addressed the furore surrounding his comments on Sharia law. He asserted that what he had said had been misrepresented but apologised for not making himself clear. He also stated that the Church of England has a role in representing all faiths in England. In the face of the pressure of secularism this has some legitimacy but everything depends upon how far this is taken. It is clear from the reaction to his comments last week that people feel he has gone too far in seeing it as his role to promote religious pluralism and Islam in particular in the interests of preserving religious freedoms in general.

The Archbishop went on to speak about the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe and the conflict there between the supporters of the government who have severed ties with the wider Anglican church.

He also spoke about the purpose of the Lambeth Conference and reiterated that it is not going to make as many decisions as in the past. Its primary purpose is intended to be for discussion and fellowship. He also stated his view that people must keep talking together whatever their views. This is one of the fundamentals of the liberal agenda which can sound very sensible but is used to over-ride Biblical teaching that we should not have fellowship with those who are teaching or practising gross error. What it indicates is that as long as Rowan Williams is Archbishop of Canterbury there is only one outcome to the sexuality debate and we will go on talking together until everyone agrees that what God has declared unacceptable has been accepted by all.

Related articles:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/11/nbishop511.xml
Archbishop won't back down over sharia row - Telegraph
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/11/religion.islam2
Archbishop defends his comments on Sharia law - Guardian
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/2/11/archbishop-apologizes-for-unclarity-in-sharia-law-remarks
Archbishop Apologizes for 'Unclarity' in Sharia Law Remarks - The Living Church
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1583
Presidential Address to the opening of General Synod - The Archbishop of Canterbury
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7239786.stm
Archbishop guilty of innocence - BBC News
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3351854.ece?token=null&offset=0
'Sorry for any confusion but it is my right and duty to talk about religion and the law' - Times Online
http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnBAN223509.html
Anglican leader defends right to raise Islamic law - Reuters
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gpodLiZ1NbSUnN6PzuO6AdE5h2xAD8UOCNC00
Anglican Group Backs Leader - The Associated Press