Sodor and Man vote against the Covenant

Half way there

The Diocese of Sodor and Man had guest speakers for and against the Covenant.

In a previous life The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron, had been a key participant in the creation of the Covenant and the development of the strategy for restructuring the Instruments of Unity in the Anglican Communion.

Opposed to him was Jonathan Clatworthy, General Secretary of Modern Church.

The Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, 

Bishop of St Asaph.

The Reverend Jonathan Clatworthy 

Perhaps it was the quality of debate that swayed the result.

It is more likely (and without wishing to detract from Jonathan's debating skills) that when the substance and potential consequences of the Covenant are set out factually people see the point and reject it.

Whatever the reason the vote in Sodor and Man means that 11 Dioceses have now voted against the Covenant - one quarter of all Dioceses and the mid-point of defeating the Covenant in the Church of England. 

The vote was:

Bishops  1 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions;
Clergy    5 for, 12 against, 0 abstentions;
Laity     21 for, 15 against, 1 abstention.

 Thanks to the Diocese's website for the photos and the information.