
Members of the General Synod voted to press ahead with an amendment to discipline procedures making it ''unbecoming'' or ''inappropriate'' conduct for clergy to be members of a political party with policies and activities declared ''incompatible'' with Church teaching on race equality.
Under the proposals, Church of England bishops would make a declaration on parties or organisations deemed incompatible with Christian teaching.
Vasantha Gnanadoss, a Metropolitan Police civilian worker, and General Synod member who first won backing for the ban two years ago, welcomed the amendment and a new statement on race equality from the bishops.
This put the Church's mission to ''resist racism'' on a firm footing, she told the Synod.
''It is very important when the English Defence League and others are posing a fresh threat to the well-being of our diverse society. I hope that this statement will be used widely,'' she said. >>> | Tuesday, February 08, 2011