Saturday 14 November 2009

The Anglican Response

It seems that the Church of England is to decide that any provision to be made to comfort the opponents of lady (& women) bishops will be up to the same bishops themselves. There will be no statutory protection.

5 comments:

Mark said...

I don't understand what this means, Father; can you explain?

Pastor in Monte said...

As far as I can tell, it means that those who do not believe in women bishops will no longer have any protected area (flying bishops &c) but must accept the mainstream arrangement whatever that may be. So, Bishop Sarah may permit St Disibod to invite a male bishop to provide confirmations---or she may not. St Disibod's has no right to continue the traditional practice. This is my reading. Of course, it will all need to be ratified, but the writing is on the wall.

Ben Whitworth said...

And the writing says: 'Exit this way', with a big arrow pointing to Rome, if I'm not mistaken.

Mark said...

Thanks, Father; I think I understand...! (I ought to, as a former Anglican!)

Unknown said...

What it means in practical terms is that the Church of England is increasingly likely to lose a lot of its finest pastors who care deeply about the people in their care and that is a great shame for the C-of-E.

And they will lose a few church musicians.

Over the years a lot of unkind things have been said about St Stephen's House, often justifiably, but it has produced a large number of priests with great pastoral sensitivity who have worked tirelessly for their flocks.