C of E synod vote on women bishops fails by 6 lay votes; Archbishop designate speaks on favour of women bishops; The Top 10 Press reports and reactions with links to sources
SYNOD FAILS BY 6 LAY VOTES TO MOVE FORWARD ON WOMEN BISHOPS
Under the requirements of the Synod the legislation required a two-thirds majority in each of the three voting houses for final draft approval. Whilst more than two thirds voted for the legislation in both the House of Bishops (44-03) and the House of Clergy (148-45), the vote in favour of the legislation in the House of Laity was less than two-thirds (132-74). The vote in the House of Laity fell short of approval by six votes.
In total 324 members of the General Synod voted to approve the legislation and 122 voted to reject it.
The consequence of the “no” vote of terminating any further consideration of the draft legislation means that it will not be possible to introduce draft legislation in the same terms until a new General Synod comes into being in 2015, unless the ‘Group of Six’ (the Archbishops, the Prolocutors and the Chair and Vice Chair of the House of Laity) give permission and report to the Synod why they have done so.
Speaking after the vote the Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said: “A clear majority of the General Synod today voted in favour of the legislation to consecrate women as Bishops. But the bar of approval is set very high in this Synod. Two-thirds of each house has to approve the legislation for it to pass. This ensures the majority is overwhelming. The majority in the house of laity was not quite enough. This leaves us with a problem. 42 out of 44 dioceses approved the legislation and more than three quarters of members of diocesan synods voted in favour. There will be many who wonder why the General Synod expressed its mind so differently.
“The House of Bishops recognises that the Church of England has expressed its mind that women should be consecrated as bishops. There is now an urgent task to find a fresh way forward to which so many of those who were opposed have pledged themselves.”
The House of Bishops of the Church of England will meet at 08.30am on Wednesday morning in emergency session to consider the consequences of the vote.
ARCHBISHOP DESIGNATE SPEAKS IN FAVOUR OF WOMEN BISHOPS
Rt Rev Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, spoke in favour of the legislation to enable women to be bishops at the General Synod today, as many spoke alternately in favour and against.
“The ministry of women priests,” Bishop Justin told the Synod, “has been powerful in all areas of the church except as part of the episcopacy.”
“It is time to finish the job and vote for this measure. But also the Church of England needs to show how to develop the mission of the church in a way that demonstrates that we can manage diversity of view without division; diversity in amity, not diversity in enmity,” he said.
“This approach that we have before us today is I believe, after much discussion with many people, as good as we can get. . . our will and intention are far more important than the rules.
“I am personally deeply committed, and believe that fellow bishops are also, to ensuring, as far as I am able, that what we promise today and later in the Code of Practice is carried out faithfully in Spirit as well as in letter.”
PRESS REPORTS AND INITIAL REACTIONS
1 – Church of England votes against allowing women bishops
The Guardian – The Church of England said that, in all, 72.6% of synod members had backed the measure in the crucial vote, which came at the end of more than 100 passionate and moving speeches. But it was not enough to see it through. In the house of clergy the …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/20/church-of-england-no-women-bishops
2 – Women bishops: Church of England general synod votes against
BBC News – The general synod of the Church of England has voted narrowly against the appointment of women as bishops. The measure was passed by the synod’s houses of bishops and clergy but was rejected by the House of Laity. Supporters vowed to continue their …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20415689
3 – Church Of England Votes Against Women Bishops
Sky News – The Church of England’s governing body the General Synod has voted against the appointment of women bishops. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams had said he feels a “deep personal sadness” at the result, which has been described as a “a
http://news.sky.com/story/1014147/church-of-england-votes-against-women-bishops
4 – Crisis as Church of England votes against women bishops
Telegraph.co.uk – There will now almost certainly be calls in Parliament for the Church of England’s special exemption from equality legislation – effectively allowing it to discriminate against women by barring them from becoming bishops – to be taken away. That would …
http://news.sky.com/story/1014147/church-of-england-votes-against-women-bishops
5 – Bid for women bishops fails despite late plea from next Archbishop of …
The Independent – The Church of England has been plunged into one of its worst crises in living memory after legislation to allow women to become bishops was dramatically defeated by just six votes. The decision has left supporters of women clergy reeling and is a
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/church-of-england-general-synod-votes-against-women-bishops-despite-late-plea-from-next-archbishop-of-canterbury-8335671.html
6 – The Church of England General Synod votes against allowing women to …
The Guardian (blog) – Women Clergy react outside Church House, in London, Britain, 20 November 2012. Women clergy react outside Church House after the Church of England’s governing body, the General Synod, voted against the appointment of women bishops.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/20/women-bishops-church-england-vote-live
7 – Church of England votes no to women bishops
Telegraph.co.uk -“ The ministry of women in the last 20 years has contributed enormously to the Church of England. And today we include thankfulness for what has happened. For all our struggles, and with many setbacks, the Church has gained from its decision [to allow …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9691831/Church-of-England-votes-no-to-women-bishops.html
8 – Church of England rejects new law to allow women bishops
Daily Mail – The Rev Rachel Weir, of the campaign group Women and the Church, said: ‘We’re absolutely devastated. ‘Not just devastated on behalf of clergy women – it’s awful for their morale – but it’s a disaster for the Church of England. There’s something badly …
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2235906/Church-England-says-surprise-No-women-bishops-Knife-edge-vote-causes-massive-rift.html
9 – Church of England among men-only stragglers over women bishops
The Guardian (blog) – Apart from the Church of England bishopric, which other jobs outlaw women? [And listen up you feminists, you’re not allowed to say “top jobs in politics, business and the media” because there have been female prime ministers (one) and editors (one …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2012/nov/20/church-of-england-women-bishops
10 – Church of England women bishop vote: Sentamu reads result
BBC News – The general synod of the Church of England has voted against the appointment of women as bishops. The decision came at the end of a day of debate by supporters and opponents and a 12-year legislative process. The measure was passed by the synod’s … http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20416073