I did laugh out loud when I saw the title - well done Nersen for giving me such pleasure. Do you remember Rowan admitting quite happily that he ordained partnered gay people in the run up to his nomination? It all seemed to work!
Things had to change when he was in situ - but that's what this is all about I suspect.
I find Andrew's style a little creepy and somewhat unhelpful, I think he might say all he has to say much more succinctly and with less fanfare..
So, the bishop of Liverpool is offering his vision of how the "bonds of affection" - all we have as part of the Anglican tradition - might be reforged.
He gives a solid example of how his attitude to diversity is greeted in both Nigeria and the USofA - I thought this quite impressive. The bonds of affection seemed to be a reality while all the nuances of difference were maintained. I know bishop Jones has been talking - and listening at length and in depth to people on all sides of this debate for several years. He quite clearly understands the depth of the division and the sincerity of those involved.
I believe that bishop Jones sees this method as far more effective at restoring the bonds of affection than say the Covenant process - which will lead to a deepening of the divisions and further fractures in our fellowship. I think, on the evidence he shows it is hard to disagree with him.
I do not see any attempt here to dig a deeper trench or force compliance. It takes the clear statement that diversity exists and there is no immediate prospect of an agreement while the two sincerely held positions work their way out (Windsor Report 146) and so seems to stand in full agreement with the assessment of the present position.
As I remember the Church of England's position was "up for debate" - and got somewhat twisted into this "policy" - still, Liverpool has often been seen as the capital of both Wales and Ireland, so its bishop will feel comfortable espousing a position of those bishops who lie close to his heart, and I think it ill of Andrew to acknowledge how close he is to the view of these churches without paying the due respect to their views.
Specifically, listening to the arguments from Jones and Goddard - it is clear that the way of life lies in the mouth of the bishop of Liverpool.
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