Mixed response to Sydney communion decision

Sunday, 2nd November 2008
By Toby Cohen

Sydney Anglican synod's vote in favour of male and female deacons officiating at Holy Communion has provoked impassioned debate in England.

The director of Forward in Faith, Stephen Parkinson, said: “If the Archdiocese of Sydney did [allow female deacons to officiate Holy Communion] they would be throwing something of a hand-grenade into that mess that is the world-wide Anglican Communion.”

The Bishop of North Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, said that there was no legal impediment to deacons presiding, given that, under a 1985 General Synod canon, deacons are authorised to assist the priest in the administration of the sacraments. While lay presidency would require a licensing from the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, he would be powerless now to stop women deacons conducting the Eucharist. Mr Parkinson said: “I don’t know that I believe that.

‘Archbishop Jensen can’t stop female deacons doing it’, they’re saying. Well he can, he can withdraw their licences full-stop.” the rest