The C of E is Bankrupt; so who cares where we throw the money?

Synod has moved to yet another Private Member's Motion, and this time has decided 'That this Synod request the Archbishops' Council and the Church of England Pensions Board to bring forward changes to the rules governing the clergy pension scheme in order to go beyond the requirements of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and provide for pension benefits to be paid to the surviving civil partners of deceased clergy on the same basis as they are currently paid to surviving spouses.'

Now we do not just accept that clergy may enter into civil partnerships, nor that we must therefore go as far as the State requires, but that we will go the extra mile to give the 'widowed' partner the same benefits as a bereaved wife or husband. The Bishops voted for this by a majority of 12 -2 (three abstaining) ... and where were the rest of them, skulking in the tearoom rather than declaring themselves maybe? The laity, bless them, nearly voted it down... but it passed. Oh, roll on the Ordinariate!