Supporters of Women Bishops who reject the 'Single Clause' option of the Manchester Report
- John Richardson
- Closed on
- Target:
- Members of the Church of England who support women bishops
- Region:
- England
- Website:
- ugleyvicar.blogspot.com
Thank you to those who signed this petition. You show a generosity towards those with whom you disagree which is truly a reflection of a Christ-like mind.
The General Synod of the Church of England is being asked to bring forward legislation to allow women to be consecrated as bishops. A group chaired by the Bishop of Manchester has presented a report in which a number of approaches are suggested, offering varying degrees of legal provision for those holding to traditional and historic views on leadership in the Church. (This report may be downloaded from the Church of England website.)
The minimal provision suggested is the abolition of present legislation which allows parishes to pass the Resolutions set out in the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 and the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993. Any provision for objectors would instead be made via a ‘Code of Practice’, drawn up and applied by the bishops.
Pressure is being brought to bear in support of this ‘Single Clause’ option particularly by those who clearly have no sympathy for the traditional and historic position. However, the Manchester Report presents a number of reasons why this approach would be problematic, including moral, legal and theological considerations, adding that were such a ‘Single Clause’ approach to be adopted, “We have no doubt that many would conclude that they could no longer remain within a Church of England that had ceased to be willing to provide any reliable, national provisions for their convictions.”
There are those within the Church of England who, whilst they support the consecration of women as bishops, believe that proper provision must continue to be made for those who do not, and that this would not be available under a Code of Practice. This petition therefore expresses support for women bishops but urges the bishops and General Synod to reject the ‘Single Clause, Code of Practice’ approach and to adopt one of the other options proposed in the Manchester Report.
We, the undersigned, being members of the Church of England in England, support the consecration of women as bishops.
We note, however, the approval given by General Synod to resolution III 2 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, which asserts that “those who dissent from, as well as those who assent to the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate are both loyal Anglicans.”
We regard the ‘Single Clause, Code of Practice’ option proposed in Annexe B of the Manchester Report as making insufficient provision for those members of the Church of England who do not share our view on women bishops.
We therefore respectfully ask the House of Bishops and the General Synod to take this into account when considering legislation to consecrate women as bishops, and commend their consideration of the other options in the Manchester Report.
The Supporters of Women Bishops who reject the 'Single Clause' option of the Manchester Report petition to Members of the Church of England who support women bishops was written by John Richardson and is in the category Religion at GoPetition.