C of E: Male bishops amend legislation on female bishops; C of E Urban Fund condemns ‘unequal’ England; Poverty gap in England one of the worst in the Western world; Design a Church Chair Finalists and awards event
House of Bishops approves Women Bishops Legislation
C of E media – The House of Bishops of the Church of England concluded its consideration of the draft legislation to enable women to be consecrated as bishops. It agreed that the legislation should be returned to the General Synod for final approval.
The House of Bishops had power to amend the draft legislation in such manner “as it thinks fit”. It made two amendments to the draft Measure.
The House accepted an amendment making it clear that the use of the word “delegation” (in Clause 2 of the draft Measure) relates to the legal authority which a male bishop acting under a diocesan scheme would have and was distinct from the authority to exercise the functions of the office of bishop that that person derived from his ordination. For example, when another bishop ordains someone to the priesthood he needs permission to do from the bishop of the diocese (“delegation”), but the power to ordain derives from his consecration as a bishop. The amendment also makes clear that delegation should not be taken as divesting the diocesan bishop of any of his or her authority or functions.
The House also accepted an amendment to express in the Measure one of the three principles which the House had agreed in December (see notes). This amendment adds to the list of matters on which guidance will need to be given in the Code of Practice that the House of Bishops will be required to draw up and promulgate under the Measure. It will now need to include guidance on the selection by the diocesan bishop of the male bishops and priests who will minister in parishes whose parochial church council (PCC) has issued a Letter of Request under the Measure. That guidance will be directed at ensuring that the exercise of ministry by those bishops and priests will be consistent with the theological convictions as to the consecration or ordination of women which prompted the issuing of the Letter of Request. Thus, the legislation now addresses the fact that for some parishes a male bishop or male priest is necessary but not sufficient.
The House rejected more far- reaching amendments that would have changed the legal basis on which bishops would exercise authority when ministering to parishes unable to receive the ministry of female bishops.
It also rejected amendments giving statutory expression to the other two principles (see notes) that it agreed in December, judging that it would be better to leave them to be addressed in the Code of Practice or in other ways rather than referring to them in the Measure.
Church of England to allow women bishops
Telegraph – Church of England bishops last night cleared the way for historic moves to allow women to become bishops – but with a last-minute olive branch to traditionalists.
In a meeting behind closed doors in York, the Church’s House of Bishops gave its approval to legislation to admit women to the episcopacy and rejected a series of attempts to significantly water down the powers of future female bishops.
But they also agreed a key protection for conservative evangelicals and Anglo Catholics who object to women bishops on theological grounds.
In theory the vote clears the way for the church’s General Synod to have a final vote on the issue in July.
But there were signs it has plunged the Church into further uncertainty amid fears that the compromise failed to satisfy either side in the debate.
It remained unclear last night whether the compromise would be enough to see off the prospect of a large-scale exodus of traditionalists to the Roman Catholic Church or a new breakaway Anglican group.
Equally campaigners for women bishops privately voiced disappointment at the compromise. They fear attempts to make women “second class bishops”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9281336/Church-of-England-to-allow-women-bishops.html
Charity condemns ‘unequal’ England
Press Association – A Church of England charity has described England as one of the most unequal countries in the western world as research was published showing an “alarming disparity” between the richest and poorest neighbourhoods in the country. Nine out of 10 of the poorest communities – five of them in Liverpool – are in the north west of England with the 10th in Middlesbrough in the north east, found research by the Church Urban Fund (CUF).
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j4vJrBG9IPfQEksRa-pk7KVmEfng?docId=N0232321337593432173A
Divided nation: Poverty gap in England one of the worst in the Western world
Mirror – People can now find out how wealthy their area is because a charity has ranked every parish and put the results online. THE alarming gap between rich and poor neighbourhoods makes England one of the most unequal countries in the developed world, research by a poverty charity has revealed.And people are now one click away from finding out how wealthy their area is because the worried charity has ranked every Church of England parish and put the results online.
The Church Urban Fund findings show the 10 poorest communities are all in the North. Nine are in the North West with five in Liverpool. Toxteth (East) where 62% of kids live in poverty is the most deprived parish. Only two of the richest communities are in the North – WAGs’ paradise Alderley Edge in Cheshire, and Wheldrake in York.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/deprived-england-find-out-if-your-843146
Design a Church Chair: Finalists and awards event
C of E Media – The Design a Church Chair! judging panel received well over 100 entries including several applications from overseas and submissions from leading designers including Sir Terence Conran and Luke Hughes.
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/05/design-a-church-chair-finalists-and-awards-event.aspx