Thinking Anglicans

Interesting, but far more so to those with the inside knowledge to determine which gains and falls result from acts of commission and which from those of omission. Pointers would be appreciated by the uninformed.

From Merseymike:

“I don’t really see how anyone who doesn’t agree with women’s ordination can be anything other than a flying bishop these days….”

Why? Isn’t their position recognised as a valid theological position in the CofE, as well as the AC?

Truro’s rise is commendable – but it’s mainly down to the numbers of non-stipendiary clergy. I make it 11 women with stipendiary incumbent status, no women on the cathedral chapter, no women archdeacons one woman rural dean. The vast majority of women clergy in Truro are NS curates. Is this pattern reflected nationally?

Chichester actually has a woman Rural Dean now (though Jo Gavigan, one of our permanent deacons, was not appointed until 2005, so possibly not showing in those figures). There are actually a growing number of women, many admittedly NSM; but I have been pleased to see a number moving (ie being appointed by our bishops) from NSM to stip, and some from assistant posts to incumbent level. There remains though quite a strong emphasis in this diocese on the permanent diaconate as the primary place for ordained women’s ministry.

Apparently there’s a difference between being conservative and evangelical and being Conservative Evangelical.

Blessed if I understand it though.

fido: its the practicality of the situation, particularly when the church is relying so much more on NSM’s. If the CofE accepts women priests, then their presence can’t be directed by geography.

That’s why I think that it would be difficult to have an anti-WO bishop outside the flying bishops, without leading to a very unfair situation.

Simon – the figure was around 1/3 at the time of the original vote. Numbers must have declined since then and will be difficult to estimate – but should include those who though not part of ‘resolution parishes’ nevertheless in conscience are still part of that constituency. The point remains that the GRAS figure at 25% needs to be weighted accordingly. And, that compared to other constituencies, they do quite well.

On the specific question of diocesan bishops (total 44) who do not, on principle, ordain women as priests, I can list four: London, Chichester, Blackburn, Europe. That’s 9% I think. I suspect this figure is much closer to the proportion of active CofE members who are opposed than the 30% posited by Neil. Corrections very welcome. By the way, in all those dioceses women do function as priests, as the table shows. (Europe is not included in the table: I have written to GRAS about this omission.) And I note with interest that both London and York dioceses (York until… Read more »

Simon – your impression clearly differs from mine re proportions. Any accurate figures would need to include a) those lay people ‘in favour’ who find themselves marooned in traditional parishes and b) those ‘opposed’ who put up with the status quo in the more progressive places. In addition, of course, to the officially recognised ‘resolution parishes’. I doubt anybody would fund such a study – but the point stands that the 25% GRAS figure needs to be weighted upwards by whatever percentage is correct.

One of the bishops in the diocese of London who does NOT ordain women is the Bishop of Edmonton. There are two bishoprics (though not two dioceses) whose names are duplicated in the Communion. There are two dioceses of (and hence two bishops of) Rochester – one in England and one in the US. And there are two bishops of Edmonton – this suffragan to London in England and a diocesan bishop in Canada. Ironically, while the Bishop of Edmonton (CofE) does not ordain women, the Bishop of Edmonton (ACC) is a woman – the Rt. Rev’d Victoria Matthews. This… Read more »

It may be worth pointing out that the Bishop of London ordains no priests,female or male. I think this is deliberate and is aconsequence of the London Plan instituted by his predecessor.

I go to a church, the vicar is against female ordination. Any recommendation/reference to study theology has to come from him. The statistics are little alarming.
If you are with a church with people you have grown to like, medium sized congregation and you find you have peers of your own age, it is difficult to change. Growth is at the expense of Christianity. A lot of people are not happy, feel neglected. I feel trapped, really want to have an important role in the community but feel I do not count a jot.