The Church of England has…[yesterday] published the 142-page report of the Revision Committee that has been considering in detail the draft legislation to enable women to become bishops in the Church of England. Also published is an amended version of the draft, eleven clause Measure and associated draft Amending Canon.
The Committee has met on 16 occasions over the past 12 months and considered 114 submissions from members of the General Synod and a further 183 submissions from others. After much discussion the Committee rejected proposals aimed at fundamentally changing the approach of the legislation, whether by converting it into the simplest possible draft Measure or by creating more developed arrangements ”“ whether through additional dioceses, a statutorily recognised society or some transfer of jurisdiction ”“ for those unable to receive the ministry of female bishops.
As indicated to the General Synod in February 2010 (scroll to p6), the draft legislation continues to provide special arrangements for those with conscientious difficulties by way of delegation from the diocesan bishop under a statutory Code of Practice. The legislation has been amended in a number of detailed respects. Provision for statutory declarations by bishops unable to take part in the consecration of women as bishops or their ordination as priests has been removed as has an obligation on the Archbishops to nominate particular suffragan sees to be occupied by those who do not consecrate or ordain women.
Global South Steering Committee Pastoral Exhortation to the Faithful in the Anglican Communion July 2009:
“We urge the Archbishop of Canterbury to work in close collegial consultation with fellow Primates in the Communion, act decisively on already agreed measures in the Primates’ Meetings, and exercise effective leadership in nourishing the flock under our charge, so that none would be left wandering and bereft of spiritual oversight.”
Grade Awarded: F [= Fail]
After much discussion the Committee rejected proposals aimed at fundamentally changing the approach of the legislation…for those unable to receive the ministry of female bishops.
There, fixed it.
Next Synod next will be the defrocking after Bonnie Anderson hit squads test your diocese for compliance under the super-archbishopric of Kate Schori, head bronco buster of the episcopal communion. D**n the traditionalists, they can always go to Rome.