Principles 4 and 5: Flourishing within life and structures of the Church of England

 

[4] Since those within the Church of England who, on grounds of theological conviction, are unable to receive the ministry of women bishops or priests continue to be within the spectrum of teaching and tradition of the Anglican Communion, the Church of England remains committed to enabling them to flourish within its life and structures; and   [5] Pastoral and sacramental provision for the minority within the Church of England will be made without specifying a limit of time and in a way that maintains the highest possible degree of communion and contributes to mutual flourishing across the whole Church of England.

 

Because we hold a legitimate Anglican position, ‘the Church of England remains committed to enabling [us] to flourish within its life and structures’ – not merely to exist, not merely to continue until we die out, but to flourish, to thrive.

 

The bishops and other Church of England authorities in the Church of England will need to be able to demonstrate (if necessary, to the Independent Reviewer) that what they do in respect of us is directed towards enabling us to flourish.

 

Principle 5 says that provision will be not only pastoral but also sacramental, that it is not time-limited (it’s not terminal pastoral care) and again that it is there to enable us not merely to exist but to flourish (while ensuring that others can flourish too).