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The General Synod of the Church of England have had a full agenda at their recent meeting in York and a number of pastoral matters have been discussed and decisions made. I have not received the full details of what has been decided and can only comment on what we have all been reading in the national newspapers. One of the most important decisions it seems, is the lifting of the ban on the remarriage in church, after divorce, when a former spouse is still living. In the thirty odd years since I have been ordained, this matter has been discussed time and time again, and up till now the Church of England has not allowed such marriages in church. In recent years a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication was drawn up by the House of Bishops for use after a civil marriage. I have used this service myself on a number of occasions at St George's and in my former parishes, and it was much appreciated by those who took part. Some of the clergy have taken advantage of their 'civil right' as a Registrar of Marriage and have taken weddings of divorcees in their churches, this caused much dissension among the clergy in the past! At one time it was necessary to consult the diocesan bishop and obtain his permission before proceeding with these arrangements, but for some years now the bishops have left the decision to the clergy themselves. It would seem that the clergy themselves will again have to decide whether or not to take the remarriage of divorcees in church in the light of the new synod decision. There is to be a conscience clause in the new arrangements! I must say that I feel very uneasy about it all and would not like to act as judge and jury in such matters. Who am I to make a decision about remarriage, when I do not know the full facts about the circumstances leading up to divorce, especially as I would only hear one side of the case. I am sympathetic to those whose marriages have failed and that is why I feel able to offer couples who have been divorced the Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication. It would be so much better, I think, if we followed the continental custom of civil marriage, followed by a church blessing if desired. One of the other matters discussed at the General Synod was the proposal that clergy 'dress down' for services. Cassocks, surplices, albs and eucharistic vestments and other robes it seems are 'setting the clergy apart' from the people they represent and are outmoded. I had always thought we were 'set apart' at our ordination for the service of God and Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps St George's people would prefer me to wear casual clothing in future? Let me know what you think? With my prayers and blessing. Your priest and friend. MALCOLM FERRIER |
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page last updated 20 JULY 2002 |
