Tuesday 23 October 2012

Enough Waiting

Bishop Stephen Cottrell has called on the Church of England to say yes to women bishops. In a short and unequivocal statement the Bishop of Chelmsford declares that a decision to consecrate women bishops is of the Gospel. He basis this call on the outworking of Galatians 3:28 'There is no such thing as Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female for all of you are one in Christ Jesus'.

 Bishop Stephen explains:
I believe this is one of those bits of scripture through which we interpret a lot of other bits. And I believe that that full humanity, which is ours in Jesus Christ, will be better revealed - much better for the world, much better for us - when men and women serve equally as bishops, priests and deacons within the Church of Jesus Christ.


The full text of his statement can be found here.
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2 comments:

  1. Gill24 October 2012 at 13:00

    Hoorah for the Bp of Chelmsford.

    This has been a fascinating issue to discuss with my daughters. They were playing some made up game in which one was the Queen and the other was the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Obviously this is what being brought up in the CofE does to you.) I was explaining that this was highly unlikely to happen at least in my lifetime, but maybe, maybe in theirs.

    Their response was heartening in a way - they were totally astounded that a woman could not even be considered for the job. I think theirs is the first generation that assumes equality, and a further hoorah for that.

    It's an issue beyond anger for me, these days. More deep sadness that capable, holy women are denied the opportunity to serve the church as a bishop.

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  2. Gill24 October 2012 at 13:03

    Perhaps I shouldn't have said "holy" since there's only one judge of that, and it isn't me! But I hope the meaning of my poor choice of words is understood...

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