From the Cole Moreton in the Guardian:
This week, and with it the Queen's visit to the General Synod, has been a chance for high-ranking Anglicans to imagine they still matter. And they have another thrill to come, playing host to the biggest royal wedding in a generation – another occasion for silk and grandeur.
But look beyond the pomp and what you actually see is a group of men clinging to the royal skirts while their institution falls to pieces. This really is the endgame for the Church of England as we know it. I don't mean the break-up of the worldwide Anglican Communion, although that too seems likely. African leaders have refused to sign up to a new covenant that was meant to prevent a cataclysmic split over homosexuality..
Ouch! I was going to comment further, and, in fact, I typed the words, but it is the First Sunday of Advent, and I want to try to keep to the spirit of the beginning of the season to make swords into ploughshares, even verbal swords, so I'll say no more.
Moreton's entire column is worth reading. In the end, he says:
However, there may yet be salvation of the Church of England in the "Big Society": if it can accept that it no longer deserves special privileges but is just another group of believers doing their best.
....
But most of all, if the bishops put away the gilded robes at last – and finally end their long love affair with royalty, with power and with pomp.
And no more need be said, except I agree.
Thanks to Cathy for the link.
