This is a simplification but everyone conveniently forgets that the founder of what is now the Anglican church, namely Henry the Eighth, was a serial killer, a mass murderer, and the greatest thief and vandal in British history.

And of course until recently, the Anglican church in the UK was the Tory party at prayer, or perhaps that should by prey.

That's a good point, Ho Hum. Just goes to show how incompatible religion is with critical thinking.

"Why does your religion exist?"
"Because Henry VIII wanted a divorce, so he started his own church."
"And you believe it represents god?"
"Of course. Why not?"

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. If the Anglicans actually drag themselves into the 21st century, it could be a new lease of life for Western Christianity. Otherwise they'll just die in the ditch with Catholicism.

The roots of the Anglican Church are actually to be found more than a thousand years before Henry VIII formally inaugurated the Church of England. The numerous Celtic Christians in the British Isles were vigorous and creative in the practice of their faith long before the Pope sent Augustine to bring them under the yoke of Rome. The independence as Christians began to die with the Synod of Whitby which ushered in a long period of subjugation to the Roman Church. Prior to that event British Christianity had very much its own attitudes, rites, organisational structure and traditions. Indeed, even after Whitby some of these seem to have endured in some parts of Britain.

The schism with Rome initiated by Henry VIII could to some extent be seen as simply a partial reversion to the original status of Christianity in Britain. And the pre-Roman roots are still full of sap: in recent years there has been a widespread resurgence of interest in Celtic Christianity to the extent that it is revitalising many Anglican parishes throughout the world.

It's 'damp squib', actually, not 'damp squid', although some of the elders of this increasingly schismatic church do have a rather cephalopodian look.

I recall when Peter Jensen was appointed Archbishop his stated goal was to double the number of active Anglicans in Sydney. Er... how's that working out?

There will be a dotted line for everyone to sign at Synod as there was for the mission 2000 except the stakes will be higher if you fail to make your mark. You will be identified even more implacably as a non-compliant non-gospel person.

the mission however seems to have sunk into a bog from which we have heard very little...the occasional faint memory. Certainly no facts and figures or triumphal marches. This is something else entirely and deals with moral standing, allegiances and solidarity unless I've misunderstood the move toward covenant completely.