ECUMENISM
The General Synod of the Church of England opened at the campus of the University of York on 6 July. It is due to end on Tuesday 11 July. The most important debate is due to be held on Monday 10th: the one that risks splitting the Anglican Communion, namely, the controversial question of the ordination of women bishops. The Synod, the ruling organ of the state church of the United Kingdom, will in fact be called to decide whether there exists any theological justification for women bishops and to find a legislative solution that would satisfy the parishes and dioceses that refuse to have women as their pastors. The hypothesis of a third province composed of parishes contrary to women bishops is opposed by those in favour of them. Also on the agenda at York is a change in the law on marriages that would make it possible for couples to marry in parishes other than their own, so long as the parishes in question are those in which their parents, grandparents or other close relations have lived. It is hoped in this way to increase the number of Anglican marriages, which have slumped in recent years. Only one marriage in four is now celebrated in an Anglican church, although the Church of England is the state church in the UK. The Synod will also discuss the quality of life in cities, the possibility of asking the government to increase the minimum wage in order to make it a wage sufficient for survival, how to improve spiritual assistance to teenagers in schools, ecological issues and taxes for couples.
