Despite all the rather stupid comments in the press and on the TV, the reason the measure for the Consecration of Women as Bishops was defeated was due, in my opinion, to the totally inadequate provision made for those who cannot accept this innovation. When the vote for the ordination of women to the priesthood was passed in 1992 it was hailed as a victory for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so why now is this defeat being designated as ignoring the guidance of Holy Spirit. Despite what seems an overwhelming majority in favour of the introduction of women to the episcopate there are a large number who are opposed (around 31 or more%) so surely to consecrate women as bishops there needs to be proper provision for traditionalists and perhaps the starting point for this is to take into account what they want rather than attempt to impose on them a Code of Practice the contents of which have not been decided.
One of the speakers in yesterday’s debate asked something along the lines of why didn’t traditionalists trust the Bishops to protect their interests. The short answer is that quite a few of them only paid lip service to the Act of Synod and did everything in their power to negate the provisions and protection it gave to parishes who opted to pass the resolutions so why should they be trusted now.
What needs to happen now is for their to be a serious and sensible meeting, or meetings, to allow both sides of the argument to express their view without one of them digging in their heels so that a reasoned proposal can be put to General Synod, acceptable to both the proponents of women’s consecration and those opposed.
Perhaps the two sides are actually now incompatible. Give in and give up, Father, or get real and move on.
ReplyDeleteAnother brave soul who makes snide comments from behind the shelter of anonymity.
DeleteThere have been endless meetings about this and an adequate solution provided in "Consecrated Women". But have the bishops got what it takes to do anything - after all we all know that upon consecration their backbones are removed.
ReplyDeleteAlso watch the politicians in Parliament just waiting to pounce. That well known theologian, the Tory David Cameron, has already shown his hand and how long before they threaten the church - don't say it won't happen because the Court has said they have the power to alter church law! Watch this space.
Camerclown will only want bishops who are also openly "gay".
DeleteI'd imagine the PR campaign some of those in favour waged gave some people pause.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the C of E and the Government is simple: the C of E is the Established Church and enjoys this undeserved dominance and financial support. It is effectively the Ministry of Religion.
ReplyDeleteThe C of E has allowed the State over centuries to become secular, even with its Bishops sitting in the House of Lords; now the State wants the C of E to become secular, and conform to all its legislation. This must happen - the C of E must match our present society. The Church cannot have its cake and eat it.
Luckily, the Catholic Church has been disestablished, even in countries which are predominantly Catholic. In those places the State can't force the Church to fall into line.
The women bishops issue is one of equal opportunities; abortion is a woman's right; gay marriage is a civil rights issue...the list goes on.
There will be women bishops and gay marriage licensed in the C of E for all these issues are seen through the secular eyes of government. All Clergy swear allegiance to the Queen ( who is the Head of government ) and thereby to parliament. What a pickle the Church is in! Get used to it.
Henry VIII has a lot to answer for even now.
DeleteI seem to remember that the Catholic Adoption Agencies have been forced to comply with Government Legislation to allow homosexual couples adopt children. If the Government intervenes on the matter of women in the episcopate as a matter of equality and equal rights, it is not to hard to imagine the Catholic Church could be subject to the same situation. And whilst I would not want this to happen, don't for one moment think that the Government can't force the Catholic Church to comply with any legislation. As I have demonstrated, they have already done so, regretably,However I think it is most unlikely that they will take any action on this matter.
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