The prospect of women as bishops raises a fresh problem for the Church. At present, anyone who disapproved of women in the ministry can simply abstain from communion when a woman is celebrating, and remain within the Anglican fold. But if we had women consecrated as bishops, such people might not know whether a male priest had been ordained by a man or a woman, and so could not be sure that his ordination was valid (according to their belief). This might lead to a disastrous loss of church members.
One possible solution would be for the women to agree to a self-denying ordinance, and refrain from ordaining any men. (Any male candidates in their dioceses could be ordained by a male suffragan, or by the bishop of a neighbouring diocese.) Some of them might find it hard to accept this, but it would be a sign of their good faith in seeking the welfare of the church, rather than their own self-fulfilment.
It is probable that, in another generation or two, the ministry of women will be universally accepted in the Church of England. Meanwhile, we should respect the scruples of the minority.
Stephen Freer
Lay Reader Emeritus, Diocese of Oxford
As I understand it, Jesus was a radical in the way that he gave respect to women. He talked with prostitutes as real people in an understanding way (though not compromising on the way they should behave); he included them in his close circle; he appeared first to a woman after his resurrection. The gospel accounts of his dealings with a variety of women show him to treat them as people, rather than less-than-equal, as the culture of the day treated them.
Paul too, talked of there being no slave or free, male or female etc, but all one in Christ.
Somehow the church has inverted this spirit so that the world around us now gives respect to women, but we in practice in some situations treat them as inferior. I do wonder whether we sometimes put great importance on odd verses of scripture, while missing the spirit of Christ that seems so obvious when standing back and looking at a distance.
In a male dominated world and Church, it's a bit difficult for some men when women draw level!
On the other hand the Church of England could, or rather should, refrain from yet more unilateral behaviour, and not ordain women (as 'bishops')
The logic of Stephen Freer's argument may be appealing (Women as Bishops, 9 June) but misses the point.
If the unity of the Church is our goal we must cease to perpetuate division through these mechanistic attempts to accommodate one group at the expense of another. Surely we've had enough of that already?
What is required is the generosity and humility to worship together, whatever our theological differences, acknowledgeing our shared sinfullness before God as we seek to move forwards together.
In the instance of receiving the Eucharist, liberals and conservatives alike should remember the representative nature of the priesthood and be prepared to receive from those of opposing theologies.
This isn't asking anyone to compromise their beliefs; only to join together in what we can agree, which is that God is above and beyond all of these mortal differences.
Stephen Freer's Door letter on Women Bishops raises a false obstacle. In the same way that clergy make no secret of their gender, there is no reason why they should make a secret of the gender of the person who ordained them, so if you think it makes any difference, just ask ! Or is he afraid too many clergy will claim to have been ordained by women bishops in order to rid their congregation of tho stiff-necked ?
I am very saddened and deeply disappointed by Stephen Freer's letter on the matter of women bishops.
We as a Church agreed to the ordination of women over a decade ago. If we have agreed to the ordained role of women, how can we now set a glass ceiling on their advancement? Do we now start to tell God that we know best about how far someone he has called to ordained ministry should advance?
Turning Stephen Freer's argument to another controversial area, does he suggest therefore that those of unhappy with the advancement of homosexuals to senior roles in the Church, something which has NOT been agreed by the Church as a whole and something with which many of us are deeply unhappy, should put a question into our minds as to whether we receive communion from homosexual or lesbian clergy or those ordained by homosexual bishops?
The position seems to be more male ego oriented than Biblical Truth. Why a women Bishop can not ordain man because she is physically different (Organ wise) or she is much stronger and able to manage the Diocese as she manges her home and family?
By denying such possition like Bishop is denying procreator, the half world from performing the duties in the body of Christ.
Let me more open and say those who are suggesting that only Male Bishop should ordained and do sacrament shuld also come out and proclaim that only those men who will be born form a male must be given this position?
It is sad and nauseating not to allow women to be head of a diocese.
Let God give a new vision to His Church male dominated.
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