The Methodist Church took the first steps yesterday towards ending two centuries of separation from the Church of England when its conference voted in favour of a covenant scheme.
After nearly four hours of debate the Methodists, meeting in Llandudno, North Wales, voted overwhelmingly to overcome the remaining obstacles to the organic unity of our two Churches. Although delegates emphasised repeatedly that the covenant is not a unity scheme, it will, if successful, lead to unity in all but name, provided it is passed by the Church of England’s General Synod this month.
All forms of eucharistic sharing will be encouraged. Attempts will be made to co-operate wherever possible in mission, fellowship and worship. Most significantly, the Churches will work to develop joint decision-making structures on the way to a fully united ministry of oversight.
The agreement brings the million-strong Church of England closer to the 320,000-plus Methodists than they have been for more than two centuries, since the Methodist movement, founded by John Wesley, was separated from its mother Church in a dispute over episcopal authority and ordinations.
Already dozens of Methodist and Anglican churches share premises and services, although an earlier attempt at unity, in 1972, failed at the last minute because of opposition from Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England.
The Rev John Walker, co-chairman of the MethodistAnglican joint liaison group, said the covenant would simply be an extension of much that was already happening. It is not a takeover, but a proper, equal partnership, he said.
The Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Rev Ian Cundy, the group’s Anglican co-chairman, said: We have walked together for many years, but the imperative of the goal of unity has eluded us. We are all aware of the failures of the past for which the Church of England has acknowledged its own part.
In voting by Methodists in circuits, three quarters were in favour. Most Church of England diocesan synods had more than 90 per cent who supported the scheme