Two such petitions, one for those who are opposed to women as bishops in general, and one for those who are in favour of women as bishops but are opposed to the ‘Single Clause’ option are now also available.
For some background on these petitions, see here.
This takes me back to the days when the ritualist controversies saw petitions (or ‘memorials’ in those days) signed by thousands arriving at Lambeth Palace sponsored by bodies such as the English Church Union (now the Church Union) and the Church Association (now the Church Society) demanding that something be done. What was to be done depended on what side you were one. Nowadays the successors of these two bodies are on the same side, it seems. Of course, the more petitions there are the less likely they are to be taken seriously. I only hope that the original one… Read more »
The problem with all petitions is that they remain subjective, as do people’s views about them. I dare say we could all find people who feel this or that petition has a rational and sustained argument, and it would mean very little. As I said before, elsewhere, why not let be and keep our peace and let General Synod have their say. THEN we can get worked up. Or am I being naive?
I may misunderstand CoE polity and policy on these options from the Manchester Rpt, but so far it seems to me that the difference between being protected by a code or practice and having your own virtual diocese which can be swept and kept WO woman-free is significant to all sides of the controversy. And any arrangement can have unintended consequences, particularly if we weaponize changing and/or staying unchanged. Clearly, neither option will settle or establish the even thornier dilemma of peace and good will across the differences involved. That is the deeper, real dilemma which needs a new sort… Read more »
Wilf: I suppose the point of the petitions is mainly to indicate the strength of feeling on the issue, isn’t it? What shocks me, really, is the lack of strong feeling so many Anglicans have generally about justice issues – the women and gay issues merely highlight this. Our history as a state church has not prepared us well to keep alive edgy radicalism, burning desire for justice and peace, has it?
I just wanted to say thanks for actually posting these links.
Question: Why don’t they have the theological integrity to leave, a Church which in their view is heretical?
Answer: They want the endowments.