East Lancashire clerics ponder ‘no’ to women bishops

1:31pm Thursday 22nd November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

The woman Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand The woman Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand

CHURCH of England priests and worshippers in East Lancashire were today putting a brave face on divisions over its narrow rejection of women bishops.

The Anglicans’ General Synod rejected raising females to the episcopate by just six votes on Tuesday.

The proposals to allow women bishops passed both houses of clergy but failed to get the required two-thirds majority in the house of laity, leading to concerns about damaging splits within the church.

Bishop of Burnley and Acting Bishop of Blackburn John Goddard, who voted against the change, said: “The large majority of the Church of England is clearly ready to receive the ministry of women as bishops.

“It is very unfortunate that the synod was put in the position whereby draft legislation failed at final approval because it was unclear in its provision for those who are unable to accept the ministry of women as bishops. There are no winners in yesterday’s vote, which I know will bring both pain and confusion to many.”

Blackburn synod lay member and women bishops opponent Alison Wynne said: “I felt that the proposed legislation did not give adequate provision such that those, who in conscience cannot accept the ministry of women as bishops, feel they have a secure and permanent place in the Church of England. I am sure that we can do better.”

Former vicar of St Bartholomew’s Chipping and warden of readers in the Blackburn Diocese Sue Williams said: “I am disappointed particularly as the majority of those who voted supported women bishops. This was the case in Blackburn diocese.

"While I disagree with them, I understand those who voted against women bishops. I believe we will see them in the church eventually. The Church of England is a family and all families have disagreements.”

Blackburn synod lay member and women bishops supporter Susan Witts said: “The result was disappointing and in the end came down to six votes.

Unfortunately this will not go away and will dominate our discussions — instead of getting on with the real work of the Church”

They spoke out as retiring Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said the CofE had lost ‘credibility’.

Archbishop of York John Sentamu said: “There will be women bishops in my lifetime.”

Comments (9)

1:51pm Thu 22 Nov 12

Excluded again says...

The Church of England has every right to say: stop the world I want to get off.

So long as they accept the consequences - that they are now a quaint, little sect with no real relevance to the modern world - then no problem. They will be like people who dress up as Morris Dancers or Viking Warriors on a weekend. It takes all sorts and so long as they do no harm, then live and let live.

The only problem is if they want to pretend that they have any relevance to day to day life. Then they become like someone insisting that we should all become Morris Dancers or run around in Viking helmets. Sorry, no. You wanted to get off the world, but the rest of the world will continue.. Just leave us alone to get on with it.
The Church of England has every right to say: stop the world I want to get off. So long as they accept the consequences - that they are now a quaint, little sect with no real relevance to the modern world - then no problem. They will be like people who dress up as Morris Dancers or Viking Warriors on a weekend. It takes all sorts and so long as they do no harm, then live and let live. The only problem is if they want to pretend that they have any relevance to day to day life. Then they become like someone insisting that we should all become Morris Dancers or run around in Viking helmets. Sorry, no. You wanted to get off the world, but the rest of the world will continue.. Just leave us alone to get on with it. Excluded again

2:03pm Thu 22 Nov 12

Gaius Grossus says...

Whilst I think Bishop John's comments are somewhat hypocritical It is the lay member Alison Wynne who needs to be questioned closely. Why, when 42 out of 44 dioceses agree to accept women bishops they take it upon themselves to decide for the rest of us, who deeply feel that Christ, through the Church of England and our anglican brothers and sisters who already have women bishops, is restoring women to be part of a prophetic leadership for mission in the world about us.
Whilst I think Bishop John's comments are somewhat hypocritical It is the lay member Alison Wynne who needs to be questioned closely. Why, when 42 out of 44 dioceses agree to accept women bishops they take it upon themselves to decide for the rest of us, who deeply feel that Christ, through the Church of England and our anglican brothers and sisters who already have women bishops, is restoring women to be part of a prophetic leadership for mission in the world about us. Gaius Grossus

3:21pm Thu 22 Nov 12

midas says...

Perhaps the militant minority who (for whatever reason) cannot accept the ministry of women as bishops need to reconsider what Church they should be attending and they shouldn't "feel they have a secure and permanent place in the Church of England" as they are going against the wishes of the vast majority who want to embrace women and accept them at all levels of ministry.
Perhaps the militant minority who (for whatever reason) cannot accept the ministry of women as bishops need to reconsider what Church they should be attending and they shouldn't "feel they have a secure and permanent place in the Church of England" as they are going against the wishes of the vast majority who want to embrace women and accept them at all levels of ministry. midas

3:29pm Thu 22 Nov 12

NoPolitics says...

I am sure that if the result had gone the way of those in favour of the proposal then they would have been beating their chests and pointing to democracy working at its finest.
They lost, based on the cryteria set out when they embarked on their journey of self promotion.
Accept the fact, that under the rules clearly laid down, and be it 6 votes or 600, the club has spoken.
I am sure that if the result had gone the way of those in favour of the proposal then they would have been beating their chests and pointing to democracy working at its finest. They lost, based on the cryteria set out when they embarked on their journey of self promotion. Accept the fact, that under the rules clearly laid down, and be it 6 votes or 600, the club has spoken. NoPolitics

4:52pm Thu 22 Nov 12

jimpy0 says...

Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................
Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ................... jimpy0

5:09pm Thu 22 Nov 12

mavrick says...

What is it with people who want' a title. dress up in silly clothes, and think it gives them some kind of superior knowledge and authority. If they wish to believe the words that were written over 2000 years ago, and try and force those views on people today, I would suggest shows how out of touch these people are.
What is it with people who want' a title. dress up in silly clothes, and think it gives them some kind of superior knowledge and authority. If they wish to believe the words that were written over 2000 years ago, and try and force those views on people today, I would suggest shows how out of touch these people are. mavrick

9:08pm Thu 22 Nov 12

sen c ble says...

jimpy0 wrote:
Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................
You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments!
[quote][p][bold]jimpy0[/bold] wrote: Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................[/p][/quote]You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments! sen c ble

7:06pm Fri 23 Nov 12

liddle 'un says...

sen c ble wrote:
jimpy0 wrote:
Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................
You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments!
Funny, did a quick Google of aleemas and it didn't turn up anything of relevance.

Is it some form of obscure sect or is your brain addled?
[quote][p][bold]sen c ble[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jimpy0[/bold] wrote: Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................[/p][/quote]You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments![/p][/quote]Funny, did a quick Google of aleemas and it didn't turn up anything of relevance. Is it some form of obscure sect or is your brain addled? liddle 'un

8:14pm Fri 23 Nov 12

sen c ble says...

liddle 'un wrote:
sen c ble wrote:
jimpy0 wrote:
Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................
You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments!
Funny, did a quick Google of aleemas and it didn't turn up anything of relevance.

Is it some form of obscure sect or is your brain addled?
Not surprised as it is an arabic word, and aleem for male priests. Try female imams or even try spelling it in another grammar format and the greater in depth research you do it explains the koranic acceptance and approval, and the misunderstanding by the western world, and you may be forgiven for being a dunce!
[quote][p][bold]liddle 'un[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]sen c ble[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jimpy0[/bold] wrote: Why such a furore over the CofE's decision - the Islamic nutters run a similar setup and go a hell of a lot further, but god forbid you should call them on it ...................[/p][/quote]You really need to research the acceptance of islamic women as priests (aleemas) before deciding to post unfounded and unjustified comments![/p][/quote]Funny, did a quick Google of aleemas and it didn't turn up anything of relevance. Is it some form of obscure sect or is your brain addled?[/p][/quote]Not surprised as it is an arabic word, and aleem for male priests. Try female imams or even try spelling it in another grammar format and the greater in depth research you do it explains the koranic acceptance and approval, and the misunderstanding by the western world, and you may be forgiven for being a dunce! sen c ble

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