Calls for caution about C of E Synod election

Theologian Elaine Storkey has said that the results of the election to the General Synod of the Church of England must be “carefully interpreted”.

Writing on the Fulcrum website, Storkey suggested that some opponents of women bishops, namely the Reform group of evangelicals, had been too hasty in concluding that the new Synod membership was in their favour

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In the days following the release of the results, Reform issued a statement in which it predicted that 66 clergy (32.10%) and 77 laity (35.46%) would vote down the draft legislation on women in the episcopate. They reasoned that only one more vote was needed secure the 34% vote needed in Synod to block the legislation.

Reform Chairman Rod Thomas went on to declare at the group’s annual conference that it was unlikely the legislation would be passed without substantial amendments.

The analysis was challenged by the Women and the Church group (WATCH), which said the claims were "premature" as many candidates had not revealed their position on women bishops prior to the election.

Storkey said she shared the “scepticism” about the statistics put forward by opponents and was uncertain their analysis could be considered unbiased and disinterested.

“When wishful thinking gets mixed in with analysis, the results must always be seen with caution,” she said.

“But there is also the issue that we really don’t know what the newly elected members think.

“This must be especially true when the issue is a draft piece of legislation so complex as the measure on women bishops.

“Many of them have not had any chance to look at earlier proposals, to follow the debate through so far, to catch up on the work of the revision committee or to know why the various amendments did not get through."

She said the new Synod members had a lot of homework to do before they could grasp the issues "with any real authority".

“There is a lot of debate to be had, before anyone can confidently predict which way a vote will go in eighteen months time," she said.

Storkey called for further debate on the theology of women bishops and a readiness to listen to both sides of the argument.

“I do hope we can all hold fire until we have carefully read the legislation then presented, and take part in the debate with prayerful and open hearts,” she said.

“That way, I believe we do stand some chance of hearing what God might have to say to the Church of England.”