Church of England to Debate Women Bishops

By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent

07/07/2008

Members of the Church of England's ruling body will today stage an epic eight-hour debate on the introduction of women bishops after 13 new versions of the controversial proposal were put forward.

Leading bishops, clergy and lay members of the General Synod representing both traditionalists and liberal viewpoints have all tabled amendments to the motion that will allow women into the episcopate.

Some are calling for new "men only" dioceses or a class of "super bishop" to cater for those who object to female bishops, while others argue that the legislation should be passed without any special provisions for opponents of the historic step.

More than 1,000 clergy have already signed a letter threatening to leave the church if legal safeguards are not brought in for those who do not want to be led by a woman bishop, while some supporters of the move say it should not be brought in if it would mean a two-tier system.

The Rt Rev John Broadhurst, the Bishop of Fulham, claimed many traditionalists would not be able to accept the introduction of women bishops unless they were given separate dioceses free of women.

"We'd be forced to leave if this happens," he said.

"It's about a feminist agenda, not a Christian faith and life."

The Rt Rev Martyn Jarret, Bishop of Beverley, agreed: "I would have great difficulty in understanding the way in which I could remain a faithful member of the Church, which has nurtured me and which I love."

The main motion, to be introduced at the York meeting this afternoon by the Bishop of Gloucester, calls for women bishops to be introduced with just a code of practice for those who object to them.

A total of 13 amendments to the motion had been put down by last night, with the debate expected to go on until 10pm as each one must be discussed and voted on until agreement is reached.

Several call for "new structures" such as new dioceses for traditionalists or the creation of "super bishops", who would cater for parishes around the country which did not want to be under the authority of a woman.

Others say the code of practice regarding treatment of opponents of the move must be legally binding, and must be worked out in detail before women are consecrated as bishops.

But Christina Rees, chairman of Women and the Church (WATCH), wants female bishops to be introduced without further legislation.

She said: "I am prepared to consider the possibility of a nationally agreed code of practice but I would prefer if we passed the simplest legislation opening the episcopate to women."