Can the State 'Redefine' Social Institutions? by Jonathan Chaplin As the argument over gay marriage begins to generate heat if not yet light it is evident that a fundamental question in the debate is going to be whether it is within the moral authority of the state to “redefine” something like marriage at all. While … Continue Reading
The Anglican Communion Covenant and the Church of England: Ramifications by Andrew Goddard It is now clear that less than half the dioceses of the Church of England will agree, in both their house of clergy and house of laity, to “approve the draft Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant”. This article attempts … Continue Reading
(This is an extended version of an article that appeared in The Times [online subscribers only] on 17th March 2012 – republished with permission) ‘Here to introduce Bach’s St Matthew Passion,’ said the radio announcer, ‘is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.’ My companion and I listened eagerly to a lucid account of St … Continue Reading
Should we Redefine Marriage? By Andrew Goddard Recognising the Cultural Terrain Over 185,000 people have already signed the Coalition for Marriage (C4M) petition which states “I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt … Continue Reading
Transcript of BBC Radio 4 Sunday Programme, 11 March 2012 Discussion on the Anglican Communion, audio clip here Interviewer: Ed Stourton Interviewees: Dairmaid MacCulloch, Graham Kings Stourton The Anglican Covenant was Rowan Williams’s big idea for securing unity of the worldwide Anglican Communion after the row over the American church’s decision to appoint a gay … Continue Reading
Church Services after a Civil Partnership Registration: What is and is not permitted? By Gavin Foster Introduction What is a member of the clergy permitted to do when asked by a same-sex couple to provide a church service in recognition of their Civil Partnership? On the face of it the answer would seem to be … Continue Reading
The Body of Christ or A Body Bag of Parts? A speech given to Hereford Diocesan Synod By Simon Cawdell I stand before you this morning as a passionate supporter of the Anglican Communion its life, its diversity and the riches contained within it that we share. The links we share with our partner dioceses … Continue Reading
Spatial Catholicity Our Unity in Christ In Support of the Anglican Covenant An Apologetic Series By Mark D. Chapman (republished with permission from The Living Church) In Anglicanism: Unity and Diversity in the Anglican Communion (Mowbray, 2007), the book I edited on the Anglican Covenant, I suggested that a “tepid constitutionalism” was what was perhaps … Continue Reading
Anglicans and Covenants: A Very Brief History by Benjamin M. Guyer Episcopal Church (USA) ‘We dare to hope…’1 – 1964 British Conference on Faith and Order (Also published on the Yes to the Covenant website) If the Church of England rejects the Anglican Covenant, how will it honour its ecumencial Covenants? In 1964, the Church … Continue Reading
Are we Anglicans or Baptists? The Anglican Communion Covenant: Interdependence or Independence? by Revd John Watson Picture 1st Century Jerusalem. In the heat of the day an equally heated issue is raised to the leaders of the Church. A council is convened to advise the way forward. The Jewish Christians faced with a cultural challenge … Continue Reading