News for Week Ending 3/21/2011

CoE dioceses register votes

Diocesan synods in the Church of England (CoE) are beginning to vote on two important issues, the approval of the plan to implement women bishops in the church and the question of whether the CoE should adopt the Anglican Covenant. Thinking Anglicans reproduced a press release from Women and the Church (WATCH) noting that the Diocese of Birmingham voted March 12, 2011, to approve legislation allowing for women bishops and defeated attempts to strengthen provisions for those who cannot accept women bishops.

On March 19, the Diocese of Litchfield announced that it had become the first CoE diocese to approve adoption of the Anglican Covenant. Church Times reported March 18, that the Diocese of Wakefield had become the first diocese to reject the Covenant.

The CoE has 44 dioceses whose synods will be voting on these two matters.

General Convention deputies gather to consult on same-sex blessings

Nearly 200 deputies to the 2012 General Convention met in Atlanta March 18 and 19, 2011, at the invitation of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM). This was to further the task given to the SCLM by the 2009 General Convention to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources related to same-sex blessings. One lay and one clergy deputy was invited from each Episcopal Church diocese. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh was represented by Mr. Andy Muhl and the Rev. Scott Quinn. Details of the gathering are available from Episcopal News Service here and here.

Northwest Texas wins case against breakaway parish

According to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, on March 18, 2011, an Austin appeals court ruled that the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas is the proper steward of the property of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in San Angelo, Texas, even though a majority of parishioners voted to leave The Episcopal Church in 2006. The court’s opinion can be read here.