Women Bishops Legislation Now on Right Track
WATCH is delighted to hear that the Revision Committee on Women in the Episcopate has decided that legislation for women bishops will no longer include proposals for the mandatory transfer of authority – the vesting of particular functions by law ”“ in bishops who would provide oversight for those unable to receive the Episcopal and/or priestly ministry of women.
WATCH commends the recent work of the Revision Committee, which met yesterday to explore how the previous proposed arrangements could be made to work. WATCH is aware of the huge outcry from members of General Synod and from other Church members to the earlier announcement of the Revision Committee to make changes in law that would have resulted in a two-tier episcopate.
WATCH Chair, Christina Rees said: “This is a real breakthrough. I am delighted that now we can look forward to having women as bishops on the same terms that men are bishops. Women will bring valuable different perspectives and ways of doing things and will also bring a sorely needed wholeness to the Episcopal leadership of our Church. The House of Bishops will cease to be the ”˜men only’ club it has been and will be more representative of the people whom the Church exists to serve. Now the Church will be able to draw on the experience and wisdom of many gifted women. We know from 15 years of having women as priests that they are often able to reach people and approach situations in ways that are creative and empowering for many others.”
WATCH is pleased with the outcome on two counts: first, and most importantly, the new proposals express the theological understanding of the Church about the status of baptised Christians and about the relationship between men and women and God. Secondly, the Revision Committee has shown that it has heeded the will of General Synod to draft legislation that would not have arrangements in law that would differentiate between male and female bishops.
WATCH continues to urge to Revision Committee to bring proposals to General Synod in February 2010 which adopt the simplest possible legislation, so that the Church of England can proceed to opening the Episcopate to women in such a way that the nature of the Episcopate is retained and the Church can best communicate its belief that women and men are equal in the eyes of God.
Someone please explain:
Forward in Faith accept the decision to consecrate women but simply ask for space to also live out faith according to a Catholic understanding of holy orders
WATCH are ONLY happy if no inch is given to opponents
yet they claim to be the inclusive ones?? How does that work?
Why does this have to be a zero-sum game?
This statement puzzles me. The argument in favour of women’s bishops used by WATCH and groups like it, as I understand it, is partially built on the assumption that, beyond the obvious biological differences, there are no clear distinctions between the male and female natures, or if there is it in no way relates to the presbyterial or episcopal offices. Then we get this triumphant statement, which clearly expresses that there is a difference; women Bishops have a different way of doing things. There seems to be a contradiction.
Aw, come on guys. I know of one woman who has broght “different perspectives and ways of doing things” to the office of Presiding Bishop of TEC. Whether they are “valuable” is perhaps debatable. 🙂
But they are [i]different[/i].
Boring Bloke, you’ve it the nail on the head. It’s a testament to the power of truth that Christina Rees can’t get through a single paragraph without violating the law of non-contradiction.