(London) Times letters on the General Synod Vote

Here is one:

Sir, The General Synod debate on women bishops was not about whether the Church should have them: that was agreed some time ago by a majority in the synod (leading article, July 9).

This debate was actually about what continued provision should be made for those loyal Anglicans who, in conscience as a matter of theological conviction, feel that they cannot receive the ministry of women priests or bishops.

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds suggested in an amendment that there might be a statutory transfer of specified responsibilities or a code of practice and asked for further work on both. It was narrowly lost because voting was by each of the houses separately, but in fact would have been passed had it been a vote of the whole synod.

It cannot be right that any part of the Church should be discriminated against and, at the moment, those with traditional, orthodox views are in that position. If no attempts are made to continue provision, the many parishes of this land which are served by faithful priests and the “flying” bishops are in danger of waking up one morning and finding that they are no longer welcome in the Church of England.

Martin Dale

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, Anglican Provinces, Church of England (CoE)