Conservatives Continue to Resist Women Bishops in Church of England

The Church of England General Synod Monday resolution to begin "the process for removing the legal obstacles to the ordinations of women bishops" has provoked debate across the Anglican Communion worldwide. Especially, the conservatives have continued to show resistance to the current move, calling the Church for a second thought and to allow more time for debate.

The General Synod was held at the University of York from 8th-12th July, where some 500 bishop, clergy and representatives from each province attended.

On Monday afternoon, 35 speakers participated in debate that lasted nearly 4 hours, regarding the future of women bishops. The provoking resolution was finally passed in all houses - clergy, laity and bishops - by the necessary two-thirds margin.

According to the Church of England newspaper, the group of seventeen bishops which made a last-minute appeal urging the Church to deny women the opportunity to become bishops prior to the Synod, have repeated their call.

The Bishop of Chichester, the Rt Rev John Hind, believed that Church should stay as where the majority of the churches were, including the Roman Catholic Church, "until it is shown from scripture and tradition that we are on the wrong path."

Some people considered opening the door to women bishops in the Church of England has brought it closer to the Methodist Church of Great Britain - the close ecumenical partner which has recognised women leadership. However, conservatives warned that the Church should not overlook the disagreement now that has strained the Anglican fellowship and made the ecumenical relations compromised.

The Bishop in Europe, the Rt Rev Geoffrey Rowell, warned, "Without deep reflection we are in danger of dividing the Church of England and we can't afford the easy luxury of division."

Despite the threat of a deepening rift appearing within the Church, the Synod has turned down the request to defer the vote to allow "the fullest opportunity be given to the Church to reflect on and debate the issues set out in the Rochester report".

A full report on the debate over women bishops in the Synod is expected to be published on the Anglican Communion News Service later this week. The legal implications of women bishops will be presented to the General Synod next year.