Church of England 'must solve women bishops issue'

5:50pm Thursday 13th December 2012 in News

Sir Tony Baldry MP Sir Tony Baldry MP

THE Church of England must resolve the row over women bishops to stop Parliament passing laws to enforce change, Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry has said.

The Conservative – a church estates commissioner in Parliament – said women must be allowed to attain bishop status.

The Church’s general synod last month narrowly rejected the reform.

Sir Tony told Parliament on Wednesday: “Some voices this evening, quite understandably, have suggested that if the Church of England does not act, Parliament might need to.

“It is my earnest prayer that over the coming months the Church of England can and will demonstrate that it can resolve this issue itself.”

The Anglican added: “Everyone within the Church of England recognises that until we can resolve the issue of women bishops, we will not be able fully to fulfil our role as a national Church.

“This is not an issue that can be parked.”

Sir Tony said: “One cannot have a category of second-class women bishops or in some way create a church within a Church to accommodate this matter.”

Arguments against the reform include honouring tradition and Bible teachings.

Others warn that ordaining women would prevent unity with Roman Catholics.

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Comments (5)

6:49pm Thu 13 Dec 12

xjohnx says...

If the church decides a persons calling is 'from god' then they are trained and made a priest, regardless of sex.

Surely the same applies to bishops.

Anything else is just selfish sexism and contradicts 'god'. What else is a 'calling' but the will of god.
If the church decides a persons calling is 'from god' then they are trained and made a priest, regardless of sex. Surely the same applies to bishops. Anything else is just selfish sexism and contradicts 'god'. What else is a 'calling' but the will of god. xjohnx

8:25pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Pavinder Msvarensy says...

Tony Lad, concentrate more on your driving, and less on things that you know nowt about. But as you have stuck your nose in, your Government will ban homosexuals from being wed in this same church as you say that Women should have equal rights. So are you saying that you (and your Government) regard homosexuals as second class citizens not worthy as equal human beings? Ah wee Tony lad, you may have fooled (paid off) the police to get off of your dangerous driving, but you don't fool us here. QUESTION. Why are you calling for equal rights for Women, but not Homosexuals? Answer in a thousand blustering words that doesnae even come close to answering it please.
Tony Lad, concentrate more on your driving, and less on things that you know nowt about. But as you have stuck your nose in, your Government will ban homosexuals from being wed in this same church as you say that Women should have equal rights. So are you saying that you (and your Government) regard homosexuals as second class citizens not worthy as equal human beings? Ah wee Tony lad, you may have fooled (paid off) the police to get off of your dangerous driving, but you don't fool us here. QUESTION. Why are you calling for equal rights for Women, but not Homosexuals? Answer in a thousand blustering words that doesnae even come close to answering it please. Pavinder Msvarensy

9:41am Fri 14 Dec 12

snert says...

Surely this contravenes the law on sex discrimination?

It's quite simple to resolve the problem and that is to come into the 21st century and simply ignore the sex of the person if they wish to become a bishop.

The whole row on gay marriage is something equally as stupid. Why shouldn't same sex marriages be allowed and afforded the same rights under the law and in the church? Does it matter?
Surely this contravenes the law on sex discrimination? It's quite simple to resolve the problem and that is to come into the 21st century and simply ignore the sex of the person if they wish to become a bishop. The whole row on gay marriage is something equally as stupid. Why shouldn't same sex marriages be allowed and afforded the same rights under the law and in the church? Does it matter? snert

1:16pm Fri 14 Dec 12

King Joke says...

Snert, it matter because the church is trying to keep itself in the market for worshippers, and the market is becoming increasingly reactionary. If approving women bishops, gay marriages and maybe in future years gay bishops, the church risks haemorrhaging custom to the Catholics, who have created a special sect for disaffected Anglicans.

It may fall foul of equality law, but the church will drag its heels for as long as possible to try and maintain market share.
Snert, it matter because the church is trying to keep itself in the market for worshippers, and the market is becoming increasingly reactionary. If approving women bishops, gay marriages and maybe in future years gay bishops, the church risks haemorrhaging custom to the Catholics, who have created a special sect for disaffected Anglicans. It may fall foul of equality law, but the church will drag its heels for as long as possible to try and maintain market share. King Joke

3:39pm Fri 14 Dec 12

xjohnx says...

Pavinder Msvarensy wrote:
Tony Lad, concentrate more on your driving, and less on things that you know nowt about. But as you have stuck your nose in, your Government will ban homosexuals from being wed in this same church as you say that Women should have equal rights. So are you saying that you (and your Government) regard homosexuals as second class citizens not worthy as equal human beings? Ah wee Tony lad, you may have fooled (paid off) the police to get off of your dangerous driving, but you don't fool us here. QUESTION. Why are you calling for equal rights for Women, but not Homosexuals? Answer in a thousand blustering words that doesnae even come close to answering it please.
What planet is this message from please???
[quote][p][bold]Pavinder Msvarensy[/bold] wrote: Tony Lad, concentrate more on your driving, and less on things that you know nowt about. But as you have stuck your nose in, your Government will ban homosexuals from being wed in this same church as you say that Women should have equal rights. So are you saying that you (and your Government) regard homosexuals as second class citizens not worthy as equal human beings? Ah wee Tony lad, you may have fooled (paid off) the police to get off of your dangerous driving, but you don't fool us here. QUESTION. Why are you calling for equal rights for Women, but not Homosexuals? Answer in a thousand blustering words that doesnae even come close to answering it please.[/p][/quote]What planet is this message from please??? xjohnx

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