Women Bishops: Church Of England To Vote

Debate: The Vote On Women Bishops

Updated: 12:04pm UK, Tuesday 20 November 2012

Two members of the General Synod - both female - put the case for and against women bishops in the Church of England.

:: The Case Against

Lorna Ashworth, General Synod member from the Chichester Diocese

I am one of thousands of women who believe that the vote on women bishops should not go through today.

Is this because I am misogynist? Is that even possible? Rather, my three reasons to vote against the legislation are as follows:

First, through my study of scripture and in my desire to be obedient to God, I believe that leadership roles in the church are reserved for men.

This is not to say that women are not equal to men or that they do not have the skill or ability to do the job, but that in this sphere, the position of leadership is reserved for men whom God has called.

Secondly, the legislation on the table does not serve its intended purpose. Although it will make way for women bishops, which is the mind of the church, it offers no secure assurances that traditionalists, like myself, will have a future place in the church.

The measure relies on a code of practice (which has yet to be agreed upon) to offer a scheme of oversight for parishes that request it. This will vary from diocese to diocese depending on the interpretation of the code.

The measure does not stipulate that the male bishops providing oversight for the requesting parish needs to hold or have sympathy with their theological position. This removes any certainty that bishops holding traditional views will be selected in the future.

Finally, the proponents of women bishops are asking traditionalists to trust them; as if somehow desiring proper provision within legislation fosters mistrust.

Trusting the proponents is a big ask when circulated papers to General Synod members call my theological conviction a "non-gospel" theology and that in the future it would no longer be appropriate to select, train or ordain anyone who does not conform to this new position within the church.

How could I even consider a yes vote?

:: The Case In Favour

Christina Rees, General Synod member from the Chichester Diocese

I have been sent a range of emails about the debate on women bishops.

I am an elected representative on the Archbishops' Council, and someone who has been closely involved with the subject of women's ordination for a number of years.

Synod has been studying and thinking about the issue of having women as bishops since 2000, and since then has indicated its support for removing the legal obstacles to consecrating women and has also affirmed that having women as bishops is consonant with the faith of our Church.

A few years ago we rejected a range of options, but accepted having a statutory Code of Practice, to include arrangements for those who remain opposed to ordaining women.

For better or worse, we are the group of people, along with the members of the Houses of Clergy and Bishops, who will be voting on the Women Bishops Measure.

I believe we can have confidence that the measure will open the way to women bishops, and that those who in conscience cannot accept the ministry of ordained women will have a clear way of requesting an alternative bishop or priest.

The measure may not be perfect, but I know how carefully it has been drafted and I am confident it will deliver what all of us would like.

I have spoken with some of my friends who do not accept women's ordained ministry and they have agreed that it provides what they need.

The mantra of "not good enough" is simply not the case.

I realise there is a gap between where I am and where some others are on this issue, but I do not believe that gap can be filled with more legislation.

The only thing that can fill the gap is trust. I hope we will agree going forward and show the world that Christians have a way of disagreeing and yet still retaining our love for one another and our faith in God and the Holy Spirit to lead us in this process.

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