In the room where it happens: transparency in the CofE

Amid all the difficult conversations taking place across the Church of England on sexuality and Living in Love and Faith (LLF), requests for greater transparency abound. We all want to make sure that our views are heard 'in the room where it happens’ – whether that is General Synod, meetings at Lambeth Palace, or residentials in Leicester.

Snippets of information trickle out: who has been invited to what, who was there, what was said or promised. Trust appears to be at an all-time low within our national church – but attempts are being made to rebuild it.

Last week at St Hugh’s, Oxford, in a highly unusual move, a meeting of the House of Bishops of the Church of England was open to the public. The College of Bishops, a much larger group whose membership continues to be a little unclear, were meeting immediately before, but this section of their day wasn’t public. Making the House meeting public meant that the bishops of the College could remain for the shorter debate and the formal vote, while also meaning that some of the public and press were also shepherded into the crowded, glass walled room to listen.