The first woman bishop in the Church of England could be in the Gloucester diocese, a senior clergyman has said.
The archdeacon of Cheltenham’s comments came during an open meeting where some 70 people shared their views on what qualities the new bishop should have.
The Venerable Robert Springett said he felt the likelihood was “really pretty high” as the diocese could now pick the best person regardless of gender.
The Right Reverend Michael Perham, stepped back as bishop in August.
What a strange thing. The see of Gloucester is not vacant. The Bishop has not resigned or been removed, merely ‘stepped back’ and while he may have been due to retire in November, he remains in place for the moment, so it looks like the Archdeacon Springett has sprung a little hastily.
I think there are some serious questions which have to be asked about the probity and wisdom of the liberal diocese of Gloucester. With the current liberal bully, Bishop Michael Perham, helping police with their enquiries into allegations of interfering with young ladies; and with his predecessor Bishop Ball helping police with their enquiries into allegations of interfering with young men, one has to really question the judgment of this diocese.
As Lady Bracknell might have said, to lose one bishop is unfortunate, to lose two is careless! It is looking like something is pretty rotten in the diocese of Gloucester.
It is in the light of this carelessness or mendacity in Gloucester that all their future plans and innovations need to be considered, and indeed anyone they consider to be pickable should be subject to considerable questioning and due diligence. So far their record stinks and there has to be a limit put to their capacity to bring the Church of England into disrepute and their culpable failure to make provision to safeguard the young people of Gloucester.