The Church of England General Synod has continued upon its path towards the creation of women bishops this week, as a motion calling for the exploration of practical and legislative arrangements of admitting women bishops to the episcopate was passed by a large majority.
The motion was accepted with three main amendments from the original version, and it took a four-hour debate by the Synod to come to its conclusion on the matter.The move will now invite dioceses, deaneries and parishes “to continue serious debate and reflection on the theological, practical, ecumenical and missiological aspects of the issue” of ordaining women bishops.
In addition, the proposals will call for the formation of a legislative drafting group, “which will aim to include a significant representation of women," charged with "preparing the draft measure and amending canon necessary to remove the legal obstacles to the consecration of women to the office of bishop.”
It is also expected that the legislative drafting group will prepare a report on probable legal provisions that may be needed “to maintain the highest possible degree of communion with those conscientiously unable to receive the ministry of women bishops”.
The motion was presented to the General Synod by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. In doing so he revealed that when the principle of women bishops was agreed upon on 8th July, it had established the theological congruency that women should be admitted to the episcopate “but the theological discussion is not over”.
He said, “This vote moves us further towards the question of how and when this should be recognised.”
Dr Williams, who is spiritual head of the world’s 77-million Anglicans, told that the task now as to bring about discussion between the divided sides of the debate, and that further theological thinking was necessary.Referring to the canonical change required for the implementation of women bishops, he said, “The issues of jurisdiction and authority are undeniably unfinished business [and] we are some way short of having a set of propositions that will command a two-thirds majority when that is required.”
A canonical change would also require that such a measure be approved by the British parliament. Therefore, meaning that it is predicted that women bishops in England will not be canonically possible until at least 2012.
Speaking about the 8 proposed amendments to the motion, Williams asked that the Synod not get entangled in too many of them.
