So at last people are starting to speak honestly, giving up the self-censorship which has been as obvious as it has been misguided. Perhaps the ACC Chairman and the Canadian delegates have been emboldened by the actions of the "global south" primates in recent times to give up worrying about offending them. As Bishop Moxley said, it's time to stop giving in to the bullies.

++ Sentamu's statements about the CoE and English culture defending themselves, are instructive here, too. It's important that "northern" churches speak out for what they have given the world and for what they continue to do. His statements about the role of reason in our life is important. I think he's off to a good start. :)

That really is emboldening for lay plebs like me. Seeing all these high-faluting, holy-rolling, hyper-qualified people in robes, up to their eyeballs in tea and biscuits, sweeping in and excluding a whole chunk of people from communion with me.

Nobody asked me.

Nobody said, 'Augustus, look, I know you are a bit of a g*t and all that, but, we at head office wondered wether you would agree with not communing with these Christians on the other side of the world who think differently to these other folks from here, here and here. Would you mind if we ask them to 'bog off' for a while (with a view to them bogging off for good)? Now, I know you are a thicky and you haven't prayed as much as you should, and you REALLY should cut down on the gin, but, we thought we might just check before we cut your spiritual ties with these other folks. Cheers. Get back soon, 'cause we have a tight schedule and we know better than you that they need casting into oblivion. :o) Hugz - the Bishes xxx'

It's a bit of a relief to hear an unknown bish (to me) stepping out and speaking for the value of all voices instead of their own.

Let's be thankful for all the good bishops that we don't hear about, plodding along doing good bishopry.

Honestly. This guy has humbled me more than any bishop I've heard to date. Really hit a note.

And before anyone says anything: Dr Williams spoke for the consensus (meaning majority), not ALL.

John Paterson seems to be contradicting a decision of the ACC and lobbying the churches to vote against it !! Is this acceptable behaviour from someone who is, presumably supposed to be a loyal and impartial functionary of the ACC ?

Maybe he should resign, and let at least one ACC post out of the clutches of the western elite ?

Well Dave,

Since the ACC don't make decisions, AB Paterson can hardly be contradicting any.

What he is doing, is speculating on the eventual outcome; what the member Churches may chose to do or may not.

Is that too forbidden? Lambeth tea and cakes?

Dear Göran, I'm sure I am asking the same question that most liberals would be asking if it were a conservative Bishop who was ACC Chair and he lobbying against a liberal decision the ACC had just made !

He should not use his position in the ACC to promote views in opposition to what the ACC has decided! I call that misuse of status.