Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Can Wales lead the way on women bishops?
The BBC report that the ordination of women priests as bishops is back on the agenda at a two-day meeting of the Church in Wales' governing body, five years after a move was narrowly defeated by three votes.
They say that the Church aims to draft a new bill to be put to a vote in September. However, even if the bill is backed, the Church says it would not be brought into force until pastoral provision had been put in place for those opposed to women bishops:
"It is now five years since the last time the governing body considered the question of the ordination of women to the episcopate, and many of its members will have changed," said the Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron.
"The bishops feel it is important that the governing body has the opportunity to explore the theological questions behind these issues, and understand the conscientious reasons why those opposed to the ordination of women to the episcopate would not be able to accept the sacramental ministry of a woman bishop as well as the theological reasons why those in favour believe that the time is right for such as a step."
Can Wales show England what a progressive church looks like? I certainly hope so.
They say that the Church aims to draft a new bill to be put to a vote in September. However, even if the bill is backed, the Church says it would not be brought into force until pastoral provision had been put in place for those opposed to women bishops:
"It is now five years since the last time the governing body considered the question of the ordination of women to the episcopate, and many of its members will have changed," said the Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron.
"The bishops feel it is important that the governing body has the opportunity to explore the theological questions behind these issues, and understand the conscientious reasons why those opposed to the ordination of women to the episcopate would not be able to accept the sacramental ministry of a woman bishop as well as the theological reasons why those in favour believe that the time is right for such as a step."
Can Wales show England what a progressive church looks like? I certainly hope so.
