Posted on 07/11/2005 5:37:47 PM PDT by sionnsar
First Report from The Christian Challenge
Despite recent signs that bishops were backing away from the innovation, the Church of England's General Synod has today approved a move to admit women bishops, in principle, with bishops voting heavily in favor, a Synod member tells TCC.
Though 17 prelates voiced public doubts about the change, bishops voted for the motion 41 to 6; at least two of the doubting bishops were said to be absent for the vote. Clergy favored the motion 167 to 46 and laity by 159 to 75. A simple majority vote was required for passage at this point, but the motion commanded in each order the two-thirds vote that will be needed at the final stage of approval.
"It wasn't a particularly good debate" that preceded the vote, the Synod member told TCC. The first time draft legislation for women bishops could be considered by the Synod is in February 2006, he said.
Provisions for those theologically opposed to female bishops are now "open to negotiation," he added. Traditionalists in Forward in Faith, United Kingdom, have strongly urged the establishment of separate province of the C of E for those upholding historic holy order. The provision was among those put forward as possibilities within the Rochester Report on women bishops, though many doubt its chances.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Dude! When are you going to bail?
Bail? To where? Why? I'm not in communion with these folks.
Me, either. That explosion you saw was the boiler going up. I think their shop is going down, which is a great tragedy.
We should be readying ourselves. At some point soon, there will have to be missionaries into re-paganized England.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
Count us in!
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