Forward in Faith has today issued the following statement:
Women in the Episcopate: Further Comment
The new draft legislation on Women in the Episcopate and the associated proposals in the Steering Committee’s report represent a very significant improvement on the former draft legislation which failed in November 2012. Key differences include the following.
We also welcome the inclusion in the draft House of Bishops’ Declaration of the five ‘guiding principles’ in paragraph 5. These recognize our position as one of theological conviction which continues to be within the spectrum of Anglican teaching and tradition and make a commitment to provision, both pastoral and sacramental, without limit of time.
Though these proposals are still far from what we have long said would be ideal, we believe that they may have the potential to provide workable arrangements for the future, which will ensure that our people, clergy and parishes have continued access to a ministry that will enable us to flourish within the structures of the Church of England and make our full contribution to its life and mission. They hold out the possibility of bringing to a conclusion a process that for too long has been a distraction from the Church’s mission. Much will depend on the continuance of the atmosphere of trust that has at last begun to be fostered by the process that produced these proposals.
We therefore encourage the General Synod to send the legislation for revision in full Synod, so that the process may continue as expeditiously as possible. We encourage our members to study the whole package carefully over the coming months: http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1872454/gs%201924%20-%20report%20of%20the%20steering%20committee%20for%20the%20draft%20legislation%20on%20women%20in%20the%20episcopate.pdf
We set out below some matters that still need to be addressed.
As a matter of conscience, those who, with Forward in Faith, are opposed on theological grounds to ordaining women to the episcopate will not be able to vote at the final approval stage in favour of legislation whose purpose is to permit this. What attitude is taken to the possibility of principled abstention will depend on whether the proposals survive intact. Any weakening of the proposals would require them to be opposed vigorously.
On behalf of the Executive
+ JONATHAN FULHAM
The Rt Revd Jonathan Baker, Bishop of Fulham
Chairman
11 November 2013
Matters to be addressed
1. We agree with the Steering Committee’s comment in para. 28 of its report (GS 1924) that all the elements of an overall, balanced package need to be agreed before the Measure and Canon are brought to final approval. Para. 42 of the report envisages an agreed way of proceeding with regard to issues in relation to consecration services for Traditional Catholic bishops (including the further and sharper issues that will arise in due course when there is a woman archbishop). It is in everyone’s interest that this agreed way of proceeding should have been identified before the legislation receives final approval.
2. A situation in which hundreds of parishes are obliged to pass new resolutions immediately after the new legislation comes into force would place a heavy burden not only on PCCs but also on the bishops who would need to respond to the resolutions. The package will therefore need to include provisions that ensure a seamless transition. These too will need to be known in advance of final approval.
3. Para. 40 of the draft House of Bishops Declaration says that the House will not proceed with proposals for changing it unless they command two-thirds majorities in all three Houses of the General Synod. However, this statement would merely be an undertaking on the part of the present members of the House. The new Canon C 29 would require two-thirds majorities for amendment of the House’s Regulations for the dispute resolution procedure. In order to provide a similar level of assurance, the Canon should similarly require two-thirds majorities in each House for proposals to amend the Declaration. This would then bind future members of the House of Bishops.
Pretty hopeful responses here, in terms of the process. At our diocesan pre-Synod meeting last week, three members who voted against last November all indicated they were able to vote in favour or abstain on the proposals. I don’t share FiF’s objections to women bishops, but I welcome their constructive engagement with what are, on paper, much simpler provisions.
Well, hopeful if you can call a loose promise to abstain grounds for hope!
These are very constructive comments from FiF. I hope and pray that this spirit of recognising a common home for all of us who share different views on the ministry of women within the CofE can be sustained through the preparations for and debate within the next General Synod and beyond.
I presume that people in the CofE, of whatever view on ordination of women, realise that the realpolitik of the situation is that if the next synod rejects OoW, the consequences will be devastating? Cameron’s already made it clear that the government cannot work with an institutionally sexist organisation, and they are already at the last chance saloon. So FiF are waving around a rather rusty blunderbuss, because even they surely must realise that if they got what they wanted, they would win the battle but rather dramatically lose the war.
“We also welcome the inclusion in the draft House of Bishops’ Declaration of the five ‘guiding principles’ in paragraph 5. These recognize our position as one of theological conviction which continues to be within the spectrum of Anglican teaching and tradition and make a commitment to provision, both pastoral and sacramental, without limit of time.” – F.i.F. Response – Does this mean that ‘Alternative Episcopal Oversight’ will continue until the Parousia? Will there be no prospect of an unconditional acceptance of Women Clergy and Bishops in the Church of England? If so, that does seem a step too far –… Read more »
Are we really “Getting to Yes” here? If so, TBTG!
> Will there be no prospect of an unconditional acceptance of Women Clergy and Bishops in the Church of England? If so, that does seem a step too far – compromising the future Unity of the Church in England.
You could have unity in the Church of England tomorrow if you made it impossible for those who disagree to remain in it. But is that really what you want?
“You could have unity in the Church of England tomorrow if you made it impossible for those who disagree to remain in it. But is that really what you want?” No, that’s not what I’d like to see. But the provision of reserving a spot in the college of bishops for one bishop who believes in male headship is highly problematic and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Provision at the diocesan and parish level I understand. It’s pastoral. The discriminating bishop enshrines a bit of discrimination, apparently for ever, at the top. And male headship is not received theology,… Read more »
Constructive comments, but they say they will still vote against at the final stage.
Peter wrote: “Constructive comments, but they say they will still vote against at the final stage.” But the statement says: “As a matter of conscience, those who, with Forward in Faith, are opposed on theological grounds to ordaining women to the episcopate will not be able to vote at the final approval stage in favour of legislation whose purpose is to permit this. What attitude is taken to the possibility of principled abstention will depend on whether the proposals survive intact. Any weakening of the proposals would require them to be opposed vigorously.” I take this to mean that they… Read more »
I wonder if we need a provision for congregations/PCCs who have publically proclaimed that they welcome priests who happen to be women and find that they have appointed a man who is implacably opposed as their Vicar? This may be important when the crucial information was not available to them and no one thought it appropriate to bring it to their attention during the selection process.
C.B.