Welsh Bishops pledge pastoral care – but no flying bishop

Posted on September 19, 2008 
Filed under News

Church in Wales“The Bishops of the Church in Wales today promised to provide continuing care for those opposed to the ordination of women, following a decision not to appoint a new assistant bishop.

They stressed there was still a place in the church for those unable in conscience to accept the ordination of women and emphasised their commitment to sensitive pastoral care for all people and parishes in each diocese.

The announcement follows the retirement last June of Bishop David Thomas who came to be known as the Provincial Assistant Bishop. He was appointed in 1996 when the church decided to ordain women as priests…”

– Statement from the Church in Wales.

Forward in Faith UK has expressed its disappointment: 

“The decision of the House of Bishops of the Church in Wales to discontinue the role of Provincial Assistant Bishop for those who in conscience cannot accept the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate will have inevitable consequences in the Church of England. We are repeatedly told that the future for those opposed to women’s ordination is one of trust in provisions made and confidence that our position will be respected and upheld by the majority. To describe the role of a Provincial Assistant bishop – one effectively brokered by the Archbishop of Canterbury when he was Bishop of Monmouth – as ‘unnecessary and inconsistent with Anglican ecclesiology’, as the Archbishop of Wales has done, is deliberately to undermine both that trust and Dr Williams’ leadership of the Anglican Communion during this time of crisis.”

Geoffrey Kirk
Secretary
Forward in Faith