LIBERAL ANGLICANS CHALLENGE DOGMATIC C of E COVENANT

As the C of E proposes a covenant involving divisive issues like electing openly gay priests or blessing same-sex unions, liberal Anglicans yesterday launched a campaign to fight guidelines they claim will make the church "more dogmatic", states a report in “The Guardian”.

Next month the general synod, the governing body of the Church of England, votes on whether to approve a constitution that will define how the communion stays together in the face of divisive issues such as sending clergy to another country without its agreement, electing openly homosexual priests or blessing same-sex unions.

But the groups, Inclusive Church and Modern Church, warn the covenant will "redefine Anglicanism". In full-page adverts, appearing this week in church publications, they say the covenant will make the communion "more dogmatic, inward looking and backward looking".

Anglican provinces would only belong to the communion if they signed up to the covenant. They would agree, among other things, not to proceed with any new development that fellow members anywhere in the world objected to.

The covenant would give overseas churches power over the Church of England and vice versa. The groups claim it would make the Church of England "subject to an outside power for the first time since Henry VIII".

It said: "At present general synod openly debates proposals and votes on them. The covenant would oblige it to 'act with diligence, care and caution in respect of any action which may provoke controversy, which by its intensity, substance or extent could threaten the unity of the communion'.

"This would put pressure on churches to avoid changes which other Anglicans might dislike."

Outside organisations are also allowed to sign up to the covenant, a move that could lead to official recognition of breakway conservative factions that dislike liberal churches in the US and Canada.

The archbishop of Canterbury acknowledges the covenant will not appeal to everyone.

In his Pentecost letter to the Anglican Communion Dr Rowan Williams said: "I want to stress yet again that the covenant is not envisaged as an instrument of control. We are at a point in our common life where broken communications and fragile relationships have created a very mistrustful climate. This is not news. But many have a sense that the current risks are greater than ever.

"Whatever happens to our structures, we still need to preserve both working relationships and places for exchange and discussion."

The campaign against the covenant will continue until the synod debate on 24 November. If it is referred to the dioceses for consultation, the campaign will continue throughout 2011.

Report by Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent.