20/11: As the debate begins...

It doesn't seem to have really got light today here on the Welsh border as a storm sweeps in from the west. Even the builders, working hard to restore the roof of the parish church, have packed up and gone home, quite unable to work in the wind and lashing rain...
   
Here is a  final Anglican voice urging a 'no' vote and space for further reflection as the debate leading to a decision on women bishops in the General Synod of the Church of England gets under way; it is timetabled to go on into the late afternoon.  These kind of decisions seem to be made as the darkness gathers .... 





And if you have time to follow it, here is a live blog (and an audio link)  from The Guardian (without leftish journalistic comment, thank goodness - well, not too much) on the debate itself.

Of course, the really interesting questions will be asked after the debate. If the measure fails,  what further work will need to be done to secure adequate provision and the passage of a further measure? If it passes, what will be the survival strategy adopted by traditionalists - and most particularly by the remaining 'Catholic' bishops?  Whatever the result the implications and repercussions will be felt far further afield than the Church of England.

I'm off to light some candles... and get back to the day's work

Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixísti Apóstolis tuis: 
Pacem relínquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis: 
ne respícias peccáta mea, sed fidem Ecclésiæ tuæ; 
eámque secúndum voluntátem tuam pacificáre et coadunáre dignéris: 
Qui vivis et regnas Deus in sæcula sæculórum.