The Church of England is to go ahead with the plan to create women bishops without giving in to demands from traditionalists for a separate structure of bishops and archbishops untainted by the hands of a woman.
I hope that Ruth is right and that the plan survives intact through General Synod in July.
Traditionalists warned last night that the decision, to be announced at the General Synod today, will trigger an exodus from the Church of England of many thousands of priests and lay people.
Just go already, or stop making threats.
The Synod’s Catholic Group said it was “deeply disappointed and dismayed” by the Bishop of Manchester’s statement, which it was sent in advance yesterday.
Spokesman Martin Dales, of the York diocese, said: “We believe that the vast majority of ordinary members of the Church of England would not want to see the consecration of women to the episcopate as the trigger for the exclusion from the church of a large number of faithful Anglicans.”
Who will force the ordinary members of the CofE who do not want to see the consecration of women to the episcopate as a trigger for exclusion to, in fact, see it that way? Women bishops won't be a trigger for exclusion unless people want to take that view.
The General Synod voted two years ago to go ahead with women bishops in a simple measure but leaders of the Church of England have since been struggling to find a way forward that would keep the traditionalist wing on board. Today’s announcement shows their attempts have failed.
There is no way to keep the traditionalist wing on board and still maintain women bishops on an equal footing with male bishops.
In truth, I don't like to see anyone walk away from an Anglican or Episcopal church, but I'm tired, tired, tired of the threats.
I agree about the threats. Can I say there's something sad about Xians fighting over property?
ReplyDeleteNot saying the "departed" should be able to take it with 'em (and the implications that simile drags up are suddenly eerie!), but it's sad, nonetheless. If they are going to leave, they simply should. If principle means that much to them, stand on it, and go as Jesus sent his disciples.
Because otherwise, I wonder what their principles are. And that's sad.
Rmj, I agree. I've spoken out many times against the folks who think they can take the property with them when they depart, but, having said that, the court fights are quite sad - a scandal, really. I don't have the answer.
ReplyDeleteLook at her today's post -(dated tomorrow now) and see that the ABC is going to make some brilliant speech that will make all fine -- if it is anything like last years- it will not be good news for women or gays.
ReplyDeleteNext thing you know they'll have a female Monarch. Imagine the Supreme Governor of the C of E being female!
ReplyDeleteAnn, do you have a link? The latest column that I can access is the link in this post.
ReplyDeleteJust what we need - another speech from Rowan.
Wade, I paraphrased your words in the comments at the Times. I'd have done better to quote you, because you said it better. My comment is not moderated yet.
exclusion from the church of a large number of faithful Anglicans.
ReplyDeleteBullpuckey! If they leave, then a posteriori they were not "faithful".
Just go already and stop making threats¨ GM
ReplyDeleteI love that...yes, follow Duncan Pitts into the crowned glory of Noromansland. Certainly legions of puritans with pursed lips and acid-indigestion will follow you for the rest of your frowning lives.
Liverlips St. Marcher, Inn of the Twelve Hoopskirts
here for ABC speech item
ReplyDeletePaul (A.), if you say so, then a posteriori you are correct.
ReplyDeleteLiverlips St. Marcher, what an interesting name. We'll see where or if the CofE folks actually go anywhere. I left the door open a crack, because I said, "Just go already, or stop making threats."
Ann, thanks for the link. We'll see what kind of band-aid Rowan will put on the gaping wound in the CofE. He should have paid attention to the Church of England years ago, instead of spending his time scolding TEC.
He [Williams] is also expected to address a contentious debate tomorrow about a motion to recognise the new conservative evangelical Anglican Church in North America, which was created by traditionalists who have been deposed or broken away in the dispute over gay ordination in the US.
ReplyDeleteNow What?
Now we wait with bated breath.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Mimi!
ReplyDeletewv "flizingl" sounds Austrian, doesn't it?
Can read his speech now here
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann. I've printed the looong address.
ReplyDeleteErika, I believe the ABC is going to flitz us.
I'm not done reading the speech, but Rowan has already put me off by referencing the law which would permit assisted suicide in the same breath as the law which would disallow the church from discriminating against LGTB persons. That's a scare tactic. Plus, Rowan chooses not to speak or write concisely or with clarity. Many words to say very little and obfuscation seem to be his way.
ReplyDelete