Further reactions to the C of E decision
Both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican have issued statements about the Church of England General Synod’s decision to allow the consecration of women bishops –
“This decision is of course painful in the inter-Christian dialogue, as it is further alienating the Anglican community from the Apostolic tradition,” Priest Igor Vyzhanov, secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, said in an interview with Interfax-Religion on Tuesday… – via Interfax.
“The decision will be ‘a new obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England,’” – Vatican spokeman – via ABC News. Update: see also this.
Forward in Faith UK reacts to C of E vote
Forward in Faith and the Catholic Group in General Synod note with regret that, despite the clear advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Winchester and other Bishops, the Prolocutor of the Province of Canterbury and the Chairman of the House of Laity and the obvious lack of consensus, today resolved to make no meaningful provision for those in conscience unable to receive the ministry of women bishops. There must now be a period of prayerful reflection. However, members of both the General Synod and of the Church of England will understand that actions always have consequences.
– An initial reaction to the Church of England General Synod vote from the large Anglo-Catholic group Forward in Faith.
The Women Bishops debate: much vexation without representation
Late on Monday evening, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to take away my bishop. Not only mine, of course — they voted to take away all the Provincial Episcopal Visitors from the parishes which have enjoyed their ministry in the last few years. …
We must not forget that the Church of England has regularly in the past been on the side of oppressing those who wanted to express their religion freely. As one writer observed (I cannot locate the quotation, but remember it well), it was the Church of England which, due to its intransigence, virtually single handedly created Nonconformity. …
– John Richardson writes at The Ugley Vicar.
C of E vote backs women bishops
The Church of England’s ruling General Synod has voted to ordain women as bishops and approved a code of practice aimed at reassuring opponents. However the code falls short of safeguards demanded by traditionalists, such as allowing male “super-bishops” to cater for those against the reforms. … – from BBC News.
From the Church Society’s summary of the day’s business –
In the afternoon the Synod began the debate on Women Bishops. Due to the large number of amendments a total of six hours of debate was allowed going up to 10pm. After the first four hours Synod had covered seven of the fourteen amendments. However, this represented the bulk of the difficult decisions.
The initial motion had been put by the House of Bishops which is sadly unrepresentative of the wider Church. Read more
Sydney makes it clear: no split
The Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, has welcomed statements by the Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, that the GAFCON movement is not aimed at breaking away from Anglicanism.
Numerous press reports have described GAFCON as a ‘split’ and have questioned its effects on Australia.
Archbishop Peter Jensen last week made it clear he didn’t expect the Australian church to change as a result of GAFCON as events were being played out ‘on the world stage’. …
– Read the full story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Russell Powell.)
Melbourne: Pastoral statement on GAFCON
Pastoral statement from Bishop Paul White, Vicar General
“Following the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), many of you are no doubt aware of media reports, suggesting that the Anglican Communion is facing serious division.
It’s premature to comment at this point. There will be opportunities, after our return from Lambeth, for reflection on GAFCON and the Lambeth Conference and to discuss various statements and resolutions resulting from both.
Meanwhile, together with my fellow Melbourne bishops, I wish to assure the clergy and laity of the Melbourne Diocese that relationships in the Anglican Communion will be properly and prayerfully considered at the forthcoming Lambeth Conference, the ten-yearly meeting of world Anglican leaders, held from 16 July to 4 August in Canterbury, England.
Please uphold with us, affirmation of Archbishop Freier’s hope for Lambeth: that it will provide an opportunity to ‘live the unity that we share in Christ.’
The need is for the Church to engage in mission in a world facing suffering as varied as climate change, poverty, aggression and corruption, to name but a few. Therefore, we ask that all Melbourne Anglicans heed the Archbishop’s call to prayer, and display grace and generosity of heart to which a life centred in the Gospel calls us.”
– From the Diocese of Melbourne.
Tom Wright: there’ll always be an England
Bishop Tom Wright has expanded his earlier statements on why he is unhappy with GAFCON and last week’s meeting in London.
The Anglican Essentials Canada blog has a link to his comments – as well as some comments on his comments.