[WATCH News] And yet another bishop!

Joyful news from Peterborough Diocese :

Following a recently revived ancient tradition, Eve Crookenden Johnson
(Aged 13) was inaugurated as Child Bishop at All Saint's, Wellingborough,

in the Diocese of Peterborough this morning December 6  by the Archdeacon of

Northampton, The Venerable Christine Allsopp. Bishop Eve will serve until
Holy Innocent's Day (28th December), during which time she will preside at
services and pray for and bless the parish congregation.

The Peterborough WATCH contact, Dr Dennis Allsopp writes:
" As Bishop Eve was inaugurated in front of a packed congregation, the sun
broke through the wet grey  clouds and blue sky blessed us.This was indeed
a joyous event and a portent of happy things to come. Resplendent in her
newly-crafted vestments, Bishop Eve blessed the congregation and joined
Archdeacon Christine  in greeting several hundred parishoners as they left
the church.May every blessing be upon Bishop Eve in her short present
ministry ,the good people of Wellingborough and the Priest at All Saint's,
Fr Tony Lynett."

We in WATCH  all wish Bishop Eve well !

 

[WATCH News] And another new bishop!

I didn't think I would be doing another news item so quickly after the one sent yesterday - but here is another newly elected woman -  Mary Glasspool.

The 114th annual convention of the Diocese of Los Angeles made history for the second time in as many days on Dec. 5, electing an openly gay candidate, the Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool, as bishop suffragan, pending the required consents from the majority of the church's other dioceses.

"I'm very excited about the future of the whole Episcopal Church, and I see the Diocese of Los Angeles leading the way into that future," Glasspool said after the election. "But just for this moment, let me say again, thank you, and thanks be to our loving, surprising God.

Glasspool is the second openly gay partnered priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church. The first was Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who was elected in 2003.

For more details go to : http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_117538_ENG_HTM.htm

But Sister Teresa says - Caution:  Confirmation will be opposed. Last opposed confirmation was overturned with traditionalists winning.

Diane Bruce's election will also have to be confirmed, so we must just wait and see what happens next!

Happy Advent time everyone.

Briefing from the WATCH Parliamentary Task Force on the Equality Bill in the House of Lords.

1. Current proposals for women bishops.

 

The draft legislation for women bishops currently with the Revision Committee for Women and the Episcopate contains restrictions on the ministry of female bishops, and male bishops who consecrate them or ordain women as priests, both within the Measure and in the statutory code of practice which will accompany it. General Synod in July 2008 asked

 

'that special arrangements be available, within the existing structures of the Church of England, for those who as a matter of theological conviction will not be able to receive the ministry of women as bishops or priests;'

 

but we believe that the current proposals go too far in restricting female bishops and male bishops who consecrate them.

 

2. Equality Bill, gender and the Church of England

 

Within the Equality Bill the Church of England may need to claim exemption under Schedule 9 concerning gender in two ways:

 

1. Some episcopal appointments may only be open to men who do not ordain women. We are not sure what exemption may cover this.

 

2. Provisions for those opposed, which create restrictions on the ministry of female bishops and possibly male bishops who consecrate them, may be exempt under the 'non-conflict' clause 2 (6).

 

The application of a requirement [to be of a particular sex] engages the non-conflict principle if,
because of the nature or context of the employment, the application is a
proportionate means of avoiding conflict with the strongly held religious
convictions of a significant number of the religion's followers.

 

3. WATCH's suggestions for issues and questions.

 

WATCH believes that the best future for the Church of England will include having women and men as bishops without any discrimination between them in terms of functions, responsibilities for care, or geographical territory.

 

We therefore suggest that you may like to consider raising the following in the debate on the Equality Bill:

 

1. Why the Established Church, which has a duty of care for every person living in England, should be able to claim exemption from equality law where it concerns gender, when the basis of society has for over 30 years been the expectation of equal treatment of the sexes.

 

2.  Members of the House have a duty to consider this issue, whether they are members of the Church of England, or Christians, or not. (NB disestablishment is a connected issue, but the point here is that the House has a responsibility for the Church as it is, not how some might like it to be). The point could be made that only active members of the Church of England have been involved in debates on the legislation: as part of the Establishment, the House has a responsibility to all those people who are inactive members or not members at all, as this will affect them.

 

3. Any Measure (legislation) passed by General Synod concerning the appointment of women as bishops will eventually come to the House of Lords for approval: could the House approve a Measure that discriminates unfairly in the way that the current proposals do? .

 

4. Is it right for one group within the House of Lords (the bench of bishops) to be drawn from those who are discriminated amongst on the grounds of gender (which will be the case if the current proposals for women bishops are passed)?

 

5. Should the 'non conflict' clause of Schedule 9 should be removed? It gives a licence to any group that wishes to hold to ransom the Church (or other religious body) when considering changing its stance on issues of gender (or sexuality etc)

 

6. The mission of the church is severely compromised when it appears to be haggling about whether women can be bishops on the same basis as men: this appears absurd, outdated and unrepresentative of Christian values to most people outside the Church

 

7. The underlying message of the proposed legislation is that ALL women are somehow not-quite-ok: if a group needs 'protection' or 'safeguards' from the ministry of female bishops or male bishops who consecrate them, this makes all women suspect.

 

8. The concept of 'protection' or 'safeguards' is demeaning to the Church and to all women, and runs counter to the experience of the House of Lords which decided to allow women to sit as members in 1958, without any 'protection' for those who did not want to sit next to them, and which has benefited greatly has benefited from their service here.

 

9. If the Church of England wishes to encourage other religious groups to treat women fairly, with dignity and respect, then it needs to do that towards its own women, especially those it expects to act as leaders and representatives.

 

 

 

Hilary Cotton

For WATCH Parliamentary Task Force

Email: hilary.cotton@ntlworld.com

 

www.womenandthechurch.org

 

4^th December 2009

Fwd: [WATCH News] New woman bishop

Hello WATCH News people!

Good news from Los Angeles!

The Revd Canon Diane Jardine Bruce became the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles on Dec. 4.

" Diane is a skilled pastor and a proven leader," said Los Angeles diocesan Bishop Jon Bruno. "Her gifts and expertise are major assets in this diocese and the wider church and I am delighted with the opportunity for us to continue to serve together in new ways."

Go to

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_117534_ENG_HTM.htm     for more details

A Fulcrum Statement

'Making way for Women Bishops'

Following the vote by General Synod in July 2008, the Revision Committee on Women in the Episcopate has been meeting to draft legislative proposals for the next Synod meeting in February. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr9509.html. After their discussion in October they announced a way forward which seemed directly at variance with the decision made by the General Synod. That decision had been for a simple measure which would avoid enshrining in law any distinction in the status of men and women bishops. Instead, the Revision Committee suggested provisions for the statutory transfer of authority:- vesting particular functions in bishops who would provide oversight for those unable to receive the Episcopal or priestly ministry of women.

The last few weeks has seen considerable turmoil as members of the General Synod, WATCH and many other church organisations have protested about these proposals. Some have argued that they would have resulted in legalising a two-tier episcopate. However, at its most recent meeting on November 13 the Revision Committee was unable to draw enough support for the specific draft provisions from both those in favour of women in the episcopate and those against. All the proposals for vesting were defeated and the Committee announced that suggestions for the statutory transfer of authority have now been dropped. This means that arrangements for those unable to receive the Episcopal ministry of women will need to be made through delegation from the diocesan bishop.

This is much closer to the decision made by General Synod, and to be welcomed. Fulcrum reiterates its own position that on the basis of biblical theology we positively advocate the consecration of women to the episcopate for the sake of the Church and its mission. We therefore hope to see a Measure which will give an unequivocal affirmation of their ministry. We are aware that the Revision Committee will still have its work cut out to bring proposals to the General Synod in February 2010 that both recognize the full inclusion of women to the episcopate and show concern and respect for those who in conscience are not able to accept women's Episcopal leadership. The Commission will need to explore carefully the shape of the proposed legislation and in particular decide whether to adopt the simplest possible legislation, or to include a statutory code of practice. Fulcrum will be praying for the committee as it meets and works through the issues.

WATCH paper

The final WATCH paper in the series on Preparing for Women Bishops – Legislation for Women Bishops by Peggy Jackson – is now available to read/download on the WATCH website at http://www.womenandthechurch.org/preparing.htm

 

WATCH Press Statement

Saturday, 14^th November 2009 – for immediate release

WOMEN BISHOPS LEGISLATION NOW ON RIGHT TRACK

WATCH is delighted to hear that the Revision Committee on Women in the Episcopate has decided that legislation for women bishops will no longer include proposals for the mandatory transfer of authority - the vesting of particular functions by law – in bishops who would provide oversight for those unable to receive the Episcopal and/or priestly ministry of women.

WATCH commends the recent work of the Revision Committee, which met yesterday to explore how the previous proposed arrangements could be made to work. WATCH is aware of the huge outcry from members of General Synod and from other Church members to the earlier announcement of the Revision Committee to make changes in law that would have resulted in a two-tier episcopate.

WATCH Chair, Christina Rees said: "This is a real breakthrough. I am delighted that now we can look forward to having women as bishops on the same terms that men are bishops. Women will bring valuable different perspectives and ways of doing things and will also bring a sorely needed wholeness to the Episcopal leadership of our Church. The House of Bishops will cease to be the 'men only' club it has been and will be more representative of the people whom the Church exists to serve. Now the Church will be able to draw on the experience and wisdom of many gifted women. We know from 15 years of having women as priests that they are often able to reach people and approach situations in ways that are creative and empowering for many others."

WATCH is pleased with the outcome on two counts: first, and most importantly, the new proposals express the theological understanding of the Church about the status of baptised Christians and about the relationship between men and women and God. Secondly, the Revision Committee has shown that it has heeded the will of General Synod to draft legislation that would not have arrangements in law that would differentiate between male and female bishops.

WATCH continues to urge the Revision Committee to bring proposals to General Synod in February 2010 which adopt the simplest possible legislation, so that the Church of England can proceed to opening the Episcopate to women in such a way that the nature of the Episcopate is retained and the Church can best communicate its belief that women and men are equal in the eyes of God.