Hotly debated ‘women bishops’ at York
TRADITION IN THE Church of England was challenged by a five-day discussion synod at the University over the summer.
The General Synod in York meets twice a year and is composed of Bishops, Clergy and Laity to discuss and appropriate decisions on behalf of it’s members.
This summer the decision was made to overrule existing legislation which excluded women from becoming bishops.
Supporters of the Church’s new move have declared this as a logical step forward from 1994, the year when women enjoyed the priesthood for the first time.
This has sparked widespread controversy within the Church of England, and sent a shockwave through the religious community.
Opponents to the decision have concentrated on Jesus’ choice of men as the apostles. It has been claimed that up to 800 clergy are willing to leave the church in disgust if women are actually consecrated.
The Bishop of Ebsfleet, the Rt Rev Andrew Burnham has led the opposition and holds that he will resign when the legislation is put place. He said: “A Church of England with women bishops would no longer have a united episcopate.”
Burnham who says he has considered becoming a Roman Catholic over the decision. There will be a three year period in which the legislation is written up, and debated in all dioceses before being put before the Houses of Parliament, where the legislation will be ratified.
The newly appointed Archbishop of York was present at the Synod, and it closed with an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
