The conundrum we face has to do with how to get the General Synod to agree on the admission of women to the episcopate (enable them to become bishops). As I have said before, we are being asked to square a circle and no outcome is guaranteed to succeed. In fact, every option before us might either work or not.
What is clear to me, however, is that if women are to be admitted to the episcopate, they must be fully bishops on the same basis as male bishops. A bishop is a bishop is a bishop. How to get there is the problem. At least, how to get there while providing opponents with security within the church.
The arguments have been well rehearsed, so I am not going to go into them again here. However, the bishops are wrestling with this with integrity and great seriousness….
Um, well, where to begin?
[blockquote]The conundrum we face has to do with how to get the General Synod to agree on the admission of women to the episcopate (enable them to become bishops).[/blockquote]
The question for Synod is whether to approve the arrangements you are putting to them for women to be made bishops
[blockquote]What is clear to me, however, is that if women are to be admitted to the episcopate, they must be fully bishops on the same basis as male bishops[/blockquote]
Well you certainly would want to them to be fully a bishop – suggest you get Scotty to stand by in the transporter room.
[blockquote] A bishop is a bishop is a bishop.[/blockquote]
Truly insightful. How lucky we are to have bishops of the calibre of Nick Baines
[blockquote]How to get there is the problem[/blockquote]
Well how about trying the age old laying of hands thing while extracting the spine?
[blockquote] At least, how to get there while providing opponents with security within the church[/blockquote]
Another remarkable insight
[blockquote]The arguments have been well rehearsed, so I am not going to go into them again here. [/blockquote]
Oh well, suit yourself
[blockquote]However, the bishops are wrestling with this with integrity and great seriousness.[/blockquote]
Paralypics are over I thought
[blockquote]In the end, we will have to come to a conclusion and then put it to the General Synod in November and see what happens.[/blockquote]
Yes, I suppose you will
[blockquote]At least we will have a decision.[/blockquote]
There is that I suppose.
[blockquote]In the meantime, let no one cast aspersions on the seriousness with which the bishops are trying to address these issues for the sake of the church… which is there for the sake not of the church, but of the world.[/blockquote]
Perish the thought…..however, while I am sure that the church and moreover the world is on tenderhooks awaiting news as to who is to wear a pointy hat in the Church of England, do you suppose that they might actually be interested in hearing the Word preached, seeing disciples made, and to hear about the plans you have been working on to evangelise England in amongst all this bishops stuff?
Deeply depressing how the Church of England is obsessed with bishops.
The good bishop is not exactly brimming over with confidence that this measure will pass in November.