This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/10565357.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Church debates women bishops rift | Church debates women bishops rift |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Archbishops say they will propose new amendments to draft legislation | Archbishops say they will propose new amendments to draft legislation |
| The Church of England's governing body is meeting in York to try to find a way to introduce women bishops without driving Anglicans apart. | The Church of England's governing body is meeting in York to try to find a way to introduce women bishops without driving Anglicans apart. |
| The general synod will discuss plans aimed at giving traditionalists enough exemptions from serving under a woman. | The general synod will discuss plans aimed at giving traditionalists enough exemptions from serving under a woman. |
| But liberals in the synod have said they will not accept any measure that dilutes women bishops' authority. | But liberals in the synod have said they will not accept any measure that dilutes women bishops' authority. |
| There is also a growing row over a decision to block the appointment of a gay cleric as Bishop of Southwark. | There is also a growing row over a decision to block the appointment of a gay cleric as Bishop of Southwark. |
| 'Extra' bishops | 'Extra' bishops |
| Some of the traditionalists have threatened to convert to Roman Catholicism over the issue of female bishops. | Some of the traditionalists have threatened to convert to Roman Catholicism over the issue of female bishops. |
| At the centre of the row are plans for "extra" or "nominated" bishops appointed to look after those parishes which do not agree with the appointment of women. | At the centre of the row are plans for "extra" or "nominated" bishops appointed to look after those parishes which do not agree with the appointment of women. |
| It has been suggested that these bishops could derive some of their powers from the law, rather than the bishop of the diocese, who might in the future be a woman. | It has been suggested that these bishops could derive some of their powers from the law, rather than the bishop of the diocese, who might in the future be a woman. |
| Supporters of that plan say they should be able to call upon a male alternative to carry out important functions such as ordaining new priests. | Supporters of that plan say they should be able to call upon a male alternative to carry out important functions such as ordaining new priests. |
| But opponents say that would turn women into second-class bishops and deprive them of their rightful authority in their own diocese. | But opponents say that would turn women into second-class bishops and deprive them of their rightful authority in their own diocese. |
| BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said: "The synod needs to find a formula to square this circle if it's to stop women bishops becoming the latest issue driving Anglicans apart." | BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said: "The synod needs to find a formula to square this circle if it's to stop women bishops becoming the latest issue driving Anglicans apart." |
| Relations with Rome | Relations with Rome |
| Archbishops have said, ahead of the synod meeting, they will propose new amendments to the existing draft legislation. | Archbishops have said, ahead of the synod meeting, they will propose new amendments to the existing draft legislation. |
| Dr John was rejected as a candidate for the post of Bishop of Southwark | Dr John was rejected as a candidate for the post of Bishop of Southwark |
| The Church of England decided several years ago to ordain women as bishops and remains committed to seeing that through, but the divisions it caused have always remained. | The Church of England decided several years ago to ordain women as bishops and remains committed to seeing that through, but the divisions it caused have always remained. |
| There is widespread sympathy for traditionalists on the Catholic wing of the Church who say they could not serve under women, in part, because Jesus chose only men to be his apostles and to lead the early Church. | There is widespread sympathy for traditionalists on the Catholic wing of the Church who say they could not serve under women, in part, because Jesus chose only men to be his apostles and to lead the early Church. |
| Our correspondent points out that threats by traditionalists to leave the Church altogether "gained credibility" after Pope Benedict's offer last year of easy conversion to Catholicism. | Our correspondent points out that threats by traditionalists to leave the Church altogether "gained credibility" after Pope Benedict's offer last year of easy conversion to Catholicism. |
| Under the terms of the invitation offered by the Vatican, those who convert could keep many of their Anglican traditions in their own special section of the Roman Catholic Church. | Under the terms of the invitation offered by the Vatican, those who convert could keep many of their Anglican traditions in their own special section of the Roman Catholic Church. |
| Candidate rejected | Candidate rejected |
| Objectors to the appointment of women bishops fall broadly into two groups. | Objectors to the appointment of women bishops fall broadly into two groups. |
| Some Anglo-Catholics believe women are precluded by the Church's teaching from being priests or bishops and that appointing them will impair relations with Rome. | Some Anglo-Catholics believe women are precluded by the Church's teaching from being priests or bishops and that appointing them will impair relations with Rome. |
| Some evangelicals, meanwhile, believe the scriptures require "male headship" in families and in the Church. | Some evangelicals, meanwhile, believe the scriptures require "male headship" in families and in the Church. |
| But this issue could be overshadowed by a growing row over a decision by church leaders to block the appointment of a gay cleric as Bishop of Southwark. | |
| The Very Rev Jeffrey John, who is the Dean of St Albans, was rejected as a candidate to replace the Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler, who retired earlier this year as Bishop of Southwark, despite strong support in the diocese. | The Very Rev Jeffrey John, who is the Dean of St Albans, was rejected as a candidate to replace the Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler, who retired earlier this year as Bishop of Southwark, despite strong support in the diocese. |
| Traditionalists warned that appointing Dr John, who is gay, as the new Bishop would cause "very serious damage" to the Church. | Traditionalists warned that appointing Dr John, who is gay, as the new Bishop would cause "very serious damage" to the Church. |
| His appointment as Bishop of Reading seven years ago caused a crisis in the Church, and he was forced to stand down. | His appointment as Bishop of Reading seven years ago caused a crisis in the Church, and he was forced to stand down. |
| When news emerged that Dr John had been shortlisted for the post of Bishop of Southwark, evangelicals in the diocese threatened to look overseas for care from an alternative bishop. | When news emerged that Dr John had been shortlisted for the post of Bishop of Southwark, evangelicals in the diocese threatened to look overseas for care from an alternative bishop. |
| Are you a member of the Church of England? How will any decision about women bishops affect you? You can send us your comments using the form below: | Are you a member of the Church of England? How will any decision about women bishops affect you? You can send us your comments using the form below: |