Transfiguring Episcope Conference

Press Release issued by Ripon College, Cuddesdon - Primate Calls for ‘Soft Hearts’ at Lambeth

The Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church this week expressed her hope that the bishops of the Anglican Communion would come to the Lambeth Conference with ‘soft hearts’ – in contrast to references of those who harden their hearts towards God mentioned in the Bible.

Over 90 senior lay and ordained Anglican women attended the three day conference held at Ripon College Cuddesdon, a Church of England theological college. Among them were 14 women bishops of the Anglican Communion, including The Most Revd Dr Katharine Jefferts Schori, head of The Episcopal Church; the Rt Revds Kay Goldsworthy and Barbara Darling from Australia and the most recently appointed women bishops; and a number of bishops who had been at the Lambeth Conference ten years earlier.

Also present were some of the most senior women clergy in the Church of England. The Ven. Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, gave the opening session with reflections on 30 years of ministry in the Church, as well reminding the Conference of the history of prejudice and negativity towards women in the Christian tradition; The Very Revd June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury, spoke on issues of power and authority, and two lay women, Dr Esther Mombo, Dean of St Paul’s United Theological College, Kenya and Dr Jenny Plane-Te Paa, Dean of Christ Church College, New Zealand, spoke of the needs and challenges facing Anglican women in other parts of the Anglican Communion.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori gave the keynote address and spoke of qualities needed in those in positions of leadership, including creativity and playfulness, curiosity and hope, humility and compassion. She urged the women to tend the flock, seek health and wholeness for all, learn always and seek constructive criticism. When asked what sustained her, she answered that it was knowing I am the beloved of God.

For further information or pictures please contact Sophie Farrant, Development Director, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford OX44 9EX, tel: 01865 877422, sfarrant@ripon-cuddesdon.ac.uk.