The election of a new pope has taken less than three weeks from the death / resignation of the previous incumbent on every occasion it has happened in the past 100 years. 28 Feb–13 Mar 2013, 2–19 April 2005, 28 Sep–16 Oct 1978, 6–26 Aug 1978, 3–21 Jun 1963, 9–28 Oct 1958, 10 Feb–2 Mar 1939, 22 Jan–6 Feb 1922. Yes, it was slower in the past, but so were a lot of things. Why does it take the Church of England so long to do what the Catholic Church can do in a few weeks? Is there any evidence… Read more »
I can suggest an answer to your first question. In the Church of England the appointment involves input from priests (or possibly deacons) and lay people. Additionally, Canterbury takes its place in the queue of episcopal appointments. Whilst space might be left for an expected vacancy at Canterbury, the current vacancy occurred earlier than might have been allowed for. So it has probably had to wait for the slot that had been planned anyway. This might well have been after a vacancy was announced but before it took effect, still leaving ample room for a more leisured and considered process… Read more »
My normal behaviour is to do something and ask for forgiveness afterwards, rather than asking permission first. It usually works – having a workgroup or managers to decide and gain consensus is painful and comes to worse decisions, at least in my professional life. For example, I have a workgroup with their first meeting in 3 weeks, I will do the work before hand and provide them with a faite accompli. But I will leave them with plenty of scope for endless discussions, for things I know will not be implemented for years. It’s like the best meetings – the… Read more »
Jane Charman
5 hours ago
My sisterly advice to anyone haunted by an existential question is to consult a good exorcist and then get on with the practical work of selecting, maintaining and delivering your campaign aim. A ‘vision that understands the universal, cosmic essence of the sacred, holy, divine presence in creation’ sounds about as useful as a dew bespangled cobweb and best kept for the theological debating society or your next guided retreat. To anyone thinking of joining (or leaving) a campaign organisation at this point I suggest asking the following question: is it clear what they stand for and what they’re trying… Read more »
Quite the contrary. A ‘vision that understands the universal, cosmic essence of the sacred, holy, divine presence in creation’ sounds like a good starting point for people, perhaps with differing religious backgrounds, to consider: – the integrity of ecosystems – the inter-related and fragile life of our planet – the sacredness of non-human life and lives – the sacred humanity of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – the sacred humanity of women and girls and their right to autonomy and resource to pursue their skills and gifts – the sacred humanity of LGBT people and their right to autonomy and… Read more »
Nigel Ashworth
2 hours ago
The Roman Church definitely does it better. We prefer super-complex committee structures. Unfortunately, this means that the process looks like it is trying to triangulate multiple hidden agendas. Can it be that this is exactly what it is doing? Do we in the Church imagine that nobody notices what is obvious?
Added to that the diocese had made an utter fool of everyone involved in the election. Would it not be better if the King did a bit of supreme governing? I wish he would.
The election of a new pope has taken less than three weeks from the death / resignation of the previous incumbent on every occasion it has happened in the past 100 years. 28 Feb–13 Mar 2013, 2–19 April 2005, 28 Sep–16 Oct 1978, 6–26 Aug 1978, 3–21 Jun 1963, 9–28 Oct 1958, 10 Feb–2 Mar 1939, 22 Jan–6 Feb 1922. Yes, it was slower in the past, but so were a lot of things. Why does it take the Church of England so long to do what the Catholic Church can do in a few weeks? Is there any evidence… Read more »
I can suggest an answer to your first question. In the Church of England the appointment involves input from priests (or possibly deacons) and lay people. Additionally, Canterbury takes its place in the queue of episcopal appointments. Whilst space might be left for an expected vacancy at Canterbury, the current vacancy occurred earlier than might have been allowed for. So it has probably had to wait for the slot that had been planned anyway. This might well have been after a vacancy was announced but before it took effect, still leaving ample room for a more leisured and considered process… Read more »
My normal behaviour is to do something and ask for forgiveness afterwards, rather than asking permission first. It usually works – having a workgroup or managers to decide and gain consensus is painful and comes to worse decisions, at least in my professional life. For example, I have a workgroup with their first meeting in 3 weeks, I will do the work before hand and provide them with a faite accompli. But I will leave them with plenty of scope for endless discussions, for things I know will not be implemented for years. It’s like the best meetings – the… Read more »
My sisterly advice to anyone haunted by an existential question is to consult a good exorcist and then get on with the practical work of selecting, maintaining and delivering your campaign aim. A ‘vision that understands the universal, cosmic essence of the sacred, holy, divine presence in creation’ sounds about as useful as a dew bespangled cobweb and best kept for the theological debating society or your next guided retreat. To anyone thinking of joining (or leaving) a campaign organisation at this point I suggest asking the following question: is it clear what they stand for and what they’re trying… Read more »
Quite the contrary. A ‘vision that understands the universal, cosmic essence of the sacred, holy, divine presence in creation’ sounds like a good starting point for people, perhaps with differing religious backgrounds, to consider: – the integrity of ecosystems – the inter-related and fragile life of our planet – the sacredness of non-human life and lives – the sacred humanity of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – the sacred humanity of women and girls and their right to autonomy and resource to pursue their skills and gifts – the sacred humanity of LGBT people and their right to autonomy and… Read more »
The Roman Church definitely does it better. We prefer super-complex committee structures. Unfortunately, this means that the process looks like it is trying to triangulate multiple hidden agendas. Can it be that this is exactly what it is doing? Do we in the Church imagine that nobody notices what is obvious?
Added to that the diocese had made an utter fool of everyone involved in the election. Would it not be better if the King did a bit of supreme governing? I wish he would.