From www.forwardinfaith.com
FiF UK WOMEN BISHOPS - THE WAY AHEAD Nov 28, 2012 JOINT PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMEN OF THE CATHOLIC GROUP AND REFORM IN GENERAL SYNOD The Chairmen of the Catholic Group in General Synod and the conservative Evangelical group Reform, who called for talks to break the deadlock over legislation to enable the consecration of women as bishops, have received acknowledgement of their request from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Canon Simon Killwick (Catholic Group) and Prebendary Rod Thomas (Reform) have today further pledged themselves to do everything they can to ensure the speedy and safe passage of fresh legislation through the General Synod. They said, "If agreement can be reached at round-table talks on fresh legislation which provides clearly and fairly for all members of the Church of England, there is no reason why fresh legislation should not be fast-tracked through the Synod before the next elections in 2015." The Synod's Standing Orders only prevent the reconsideration of the same legislation during this period. "It has never been our intention to prevent the consecration of women as bishops; our concern has always been for legislation which also made clear and fair provision for the substantial minority," the Chairmen concluded. The legislation which failed last week in the Synod would have had devastating consequences for the diversity and mission of the Church of England, had it been passed.We want the Church of England to continue to be a broad and comprehensive national Church Canon Simon Killwick (Chairman of the Catholic Group in General Synod Prebendary Rod Thomas (Chairman of Reform) November 2012
“The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England met on November 27-28th to consider a wide ranging agenda. A substantial amount of time was given over to the discussion of the recent vote by General Synod on Women in the Episcopate. “As part of their reflections, many council members commented on the deep degree of sadness and shock that they had felt as a result of the vote and also of the need to affirm all women serving the church – both lay and ordained – in their ministries. “In its discussions the Council decided that a process to admit women to the episcopate needed to be restarted at the next meeting of the General Synod in July 2013. There was agreement that the Church of England had to resolve this matter through its own processes as a matter of urgency. The Council therefore recommended that the House of Bishops, during its meeting in a fortnight’s time, put in place a clear process for discussions in the New Year with a view to bringing legislative proposals before the Synod in July.” The Bishops of The Society react to the defeat of the draft Measure
The failure of the General Synod to agree on the legislation to allow for the ordaining of women bishops reflects Synod’s lack of consensus over this matter. It has uncovered a stubborn unease, particularly among lay people, about the Measure that was presented. . Acutely aware of the profound anguish that will now be felt by so many, we believe that it is wise at this point to refrain from analysis of the past or speculation about what the future might hold. These are testing times for the Church of England. We pray that we who, between us, have held different opinions on this great matter will be able to find in each other the wisdom and humility we shall need to build a common future. +Tony Pontefract +John Plymouth on behalf of the Bishops of The Society of S. Wilfrid and S. Hilda |
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