It isn\u2019t easy to stop bishops talking, but Primate Fred Hiltz has found a new weapon to wield in the ceaseless struggle to silence garrulous bishops: he is compelling them to be nice to each other, thus leaving them with nothing whatsoever to say.<\/p>\n
The trick appears to be to convince them to engage in \u201cquiet and theological reflection\u201d: the bishops are locked in separate soundproof rooms where, no matter how well projected and resonant their battology, they cannot be heard.<\/p>\n
Anyone who has had to listen to an ACoC bishop preach a sermon would applaud this effort.<\/p>\n
The primate is concerned that this may inhibit the bishops from making \u201cclear, public statements to the church\u201d – something that last occurred by accident in 1945.<\/p>\n
From here<\/a>:<\/p>\n The latter, a twice-yearly gathering of Canadian Anglican bishops is one of the livelier meetings the Primate chairs. The house has seen hot conflict over theological issues, especially same-sex blessings and scriptural interpretation.<\/p>\n Hiltz has worked to cool the mood. As chair and liturgical leader, he’s given the bishops more time for quiet and theological reflection. He’s said his goal is to ensure that bishops do not leave these meetings more tired than when they came.<\/p>\n Yet some view this new civility as a kind of “silencing,” says Hiltz. Heading into a new triennium, he wonders how the bishops should balance personal reflection with the need to discuss hard topics and make clear, public statements to the church.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It isn\u2019t easy to stop bishops talking, but Primate Fred Hiltz has found a new weapon to wield in the ceaseless struggle to silence garrulous bishops: he is compelling them to be nice to each other, thus leaving them with … Continue reading