Update on Manchester Motion

Published: 16 February 2012

Archdeacon Cherry, who moved the Manchester motion last week at General synod, has sent the following summary of the vote.

The Manchester Motion was amended during the course of the debate and was eventually passed in the following form: 

“That this Synod:

(a) noting the significant support the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure has received in the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity of diocesan synods; and

(b) desiring that the draft Measure be returned to the Synod for consideration on the Final Approval Stage substantially unamended so that it can be seen if the proposals embodied in it in the form in which it has been referred to the dioceses can attain the level of support required to achieve Final Approval request the House of Bishops, in the exercise of its power under Standing Order 60(b), not to amend the draft Measure substantially.”

The voting for the amended Southwark amendment was:

Bishops: For 26; Against 16; Abstentions 5

Clergy: For 128, Against 64; Abstentions 0

Laity: For 111; Against 85; Abstentions 1

The Manchester motion, as amended, was carried by a show of hands. The General Synod meets in the summer in York where it is expecting to vote on the final proposals brought by the House of Bishops.


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