The Crown Nomination Commission (CNC), the body which oversees the appointing of senior bishops, has come under fire for prioritising “models of business-leadership” over the “theological authenticity” of a candidate.
The report, presented in the Church’s General Synod meeting on Thursday, states: “What we look to find in a bishop is the arc of a mature and compelling life of faithfulness to the gospel, the life ‘above reproach’, that will represent the transforming power of the gospel to many outside the church who know nothing else of it.”
The review also highlighted that the commission’s focus on getting a diverse group of candidates has led to intellectual candidates being overlooked.
“[The fact] that there is now no diocesan bishop who has had a career in Higher Education- a resource that once would have seemed indispensable – raises questions about a loss of intellectual depth and seriousness,” the document states.
The Church’s governing body voted to approve the report and consider the recommendations.
It’s a decision that General Synod member, Canon Jonathan Ford opposed for other reasons.
He pointed out at the meeting that the review “lost sight of the fact that each diocese is different”. He also said that there isn’t proper understanding for the state that the C of E is in now.
And while former CNC member Anthony Archer, welcomed the report for being…
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