Press release from the Church of England today.
First meeting of Women Bishops steering committee
06 September 2013The first meeting of the women Bishops steering committee set up after the General Synod debate in July 2013 took place on 5th and 6th September in Coventry.
The committee considered a first draft of the Measure and amending canon as requested by Synod and also looked at the possible shape of a declaration from the House of Bishops and a mandatory grievance procedure. The discussions were serious, honest and constructive.
The committee is due to meet again on 11th and 12th of October 2013.
We listed the members of the steering committee here.
The stakes are high for everybody. Here is what I consider to be a very sad piece of news: http://www.saintannederby.org.uk/ St Anne’s was and is a beautiful church. Its priests conducted wonderful services, especially Easter Vigils and Midnight Masses, the former attended by the local Orthodox priest and his family (who did not receive Communion but went up for a blessing). St Anne’s was partnered with St John’s, a much more middle-of-the road church, though the organist is married to Father Michael’s daughter and there are of course many friendships between the two churches. St John’s now has a woman… Read more »
It is sad when churches close. I’m not seeing what a woman priest at a nearby parish has to do with it? Surely if St. Anne’s had a robust congregation, it wouldn’t be closing, right?
I’m Anglo-Catholic and it is sad whenever that liturgy is lost. But don’t blame the women, we have women priests who do beautiful, deeply nourishing AC liturgy.
John Yes it is sad when a church of any tradition ‘dies’. But I am not sure what point you are making here John. The story can be repeated in many dioceses and in all traditions. St Anne’s was one of four FinF churches in the city and all have been struggling for some time for various reasons – not least being situated in socially challenging neighbourhoods. Whenever there is a vacancy in a church the church council must be asked if they wish to vote on the resolutions. St Luke’s said yes and voted to rescind. To then support… Read more »
David,
There are people here (and elsewhere) who regard people such as Father Michael as by definition bigots.
The church was full. Not all present were FiF (I know some of them).
Cynthia,
Nothing I said implied ‘blaming the women’. As you know (or should do), I am 100% in favour of women priests and bishops.
When some one answering to ‘John’ writes that we should know’ he believes this and that – surely no one could be expected to know anything of the sort ! John is hardly an uncommon name ! I certainly findit hard to keep with who is who, and who thinks what – even with full names t’is a struggle for some of us / many ? What a very sad story, but churches do die out , and not always due to a failure to move with the times over decades. I loved S. Stephen’s, Grove Street, Liverpool, but eventually… Read more »
‘St John’s now has a woman priest.’ This sentence must mean something ! If not blame, then at least- it seems to me – a sad, resigned shaking of the head, with unspoken ‘What’s the world coming to ?’implied. If not blame then what ? Presumably the church which has now held its ‘final Service’ was offered and declined her services. I find the sentiment “We would rather our beloved church closed, than accept the Ministry available” self-defeating to say the least. Future generations may have welcomed such an arrangement safeguarding the distinguished Ministry of that church. A wonderful venue… Read more »
No, it doesn’t mean that, Laurence. It means that any possibility of further partnership between the two churches was removed because St Anne’s is (now was) FiF. In fact, St John’s suffered for a long time with stop-gap clergy because of its association with St Anne’s, which meant that the ‘unsympathetic bishop’ (a man, not a woman) was reluctant to supply a joint priest (so I am told by Derby people whom I know rather well and who include both pro- and anti- WO people). As you know – or you certainly should know – I personally am 100% in… Read more »
I’m not sure I understand the argument here, not knowing any of the churches involved. Is it right that there are 4 FiF churches in this town, that one closed because a church they have had close links with now has a woman priest, and that the whole congregation suddenly has nowhere to go and has been left out in the cold by an insensitive bishop? That’s a very strange train of thought. Should the neighbouring church not had a woman priest to placate St Anne’s? Should they have had a complicated arrangement of two priests instead of one to… Read more »
You’re missing the general principles, Erika. The last thing required here is dessicated forensic analysis.
John, what are the general principles?
I thought they were that we must make sure that everyone can remain in the CoE?
And if there are 3 other FiF churches in this town (I suppose you are referring to Durham, not one of the larger cities where travelling to another church can be prohibitively time consuming), then presumably, this general principle has been upheld.
Sorry I was a bit shirty, Erika, though if you don’t mind I still don’t want to pursue it as I’ve a lot on at the moment.
Erika,
I think we’re talking about Derby (but again, not a massive city).
Thank you John and Hannah.
I think most of us understand the ‘general principles’ of ‘Forward in Faith’ only too well.
Also, I have seen them applied on the ground in parishes.
The closeted atmosphere of F in F generally, is hard for me to take, as it involves a good deal of double-talk, and I am afraid to say, dishonesty.
And I haven’t even treated of its sense of muted Misogyny.