Are we serious about recognising dissenters as loyal Anglicans and, in the words of the 2008 Synod resolution, making “special arrangements… within the existing structures of the Church of England, for those who as a matter of theological conviction will not be able to receive the ministry of women as bishops or priests”? If so, then saying in the Measure that provision should be consistent with those theological convictions should not be so significant as to justify abandoning the first principle – women bishops, equal with men, as soon as possible – by opposing the legislation.
Andrew Goddard is a strong supporter of the amendments which the House of Bishops made to the women bishops measure, which General Synod of the CofE will vote on in July.
Andrew is aware that some of the strongest proponents of the women bishops measure (e.g. the group known as WATCH) are now threatening to vote against the measure, because they see the amendments as providing too much provision for opponents of women bishops. Therefore he is trying to shroe up their support.
But he has a fundamental problem: you can’t please all of the people all of the time.