Women bishops – Statement on the conclusion of the meeting of the House of Bishops; Women at the House of Bishops; Archbishop of Canterbury meets with Chief Rabbi; Archbishop of York’s Twenty Inspirational Faith Stories; Quakers welcome move towards equal marriage; Media review
Women bishops – Statement on the conclusion of the meeting of the House of Bishops
The House of Bishops of the Church of England yesterday expressed its encouragement and support for new robust processes and steps in bringing forward to General Synod the necessary legislation to consecrate women to the episcopate.
At a special meeting at Lambeth Palace, the House reviewed the progress to develop proposals to enable women to become bishops at the earliest possible date. The meeting also considered changes to future meetings so as to ensure that eight senior women clergy will be participants in all meetings of the House and its standing committee.
The House was briefed on the two meetings held in January by the working group under the chairmanship of the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. All 10 of the members of the working group attended the House of Bishops meeting. The House also received an account of the intensive, facilitated conversations held by the group with 15 others from a wide range of viewpoints on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
The House was encouraged to hear of the constructive manner in which everyone had joined together in the search for a way forward. It agreed that the working group should shortly issue a consultation document that would give an outline of the discussions of the past weeks, set out some emerging ideas and provide General Synod members with an opportunity to have an input into that conversation prior to the working group meeting again on 4 March.
The House affirmed the nature of the facilitation process and encouraged opportunities which may be available to extend this process further at a diocesan and regional level. There was also support for the facilitation process to continue in parallel with the fresh proposals that will be brought to General Synod in July.
Following the discussion with the working group, the House went on to consider issues arising from its current all male membership. It decided that until such time as there are six female members of the House, following the admission of women to the episcopate, a number of senior women clergy should be given the right to attend and speak at meetings of the House as participant observers. The intention is that eight members would be elected regionally from within bishops’ senior staff teams (that include deans, archdeacons and others). The necessary change to the House’s Standing Orders will be made in May.
In addition, the House agreed to a special meeting on 19 September when the College of Bishops and a group of senior female clergy will meet to take forward the range of cultural and practical issues about gender and ministry in the Church of England arising from the ‘Transformations’ initiative that was launched at Lambeth in September 2011.
Women at the House of Bishops
Following this week’s decision by the House of Bishops to give eight senior women clergy the right to attend their meetings these reports have appeared in the press.
Madeleine Davies in the Church Times: Women dignitaries to be elected as Bishops’ ‘participant observers’
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/8-february/news/uk/women-dignitaries-to-be-elected-as-bishops%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98participant-observers%E2%80%99
Sam Jones in The Guardian Church of England’s house of bishops to allow female clergy into meetings
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/08/church-of-england-bishops-female
John Bingham in the Telegraph Church of England to give women clerics ‘observer’ status in House of Bishops
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9856161/Church-of-England-to-give-women-clerics-observer-status-in-House-of-Bishops.html
BBC Women clergy to attend Church of England bishops’ meetings
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21377595
Archbishop of Canterbury meets with Chief Rabbi
The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met with Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday 6th February.
The meeting over lunch offered an opportunity for the two religious leaders to get to know one another personally and to reaffirm the importance of the relationship between their offices.
The conversation was wide-ranging, covering matters from business ethics to the importance of The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), an interfaith organisation which promotes Christian/Jewish dialogue. Also discussed was the place of the Holy Land in Jewish-Christian relationships, with the Archbishop affirming the importance of the State of Israel for the Jewish community in the UK and in the wider world.
Archbishop of York’s Twenty Inspirational Faith Stories
A new book by the Archbishop, ‘Faith Stories’, will be published on 20 February 2013. The book is about 20 people telling true stories of how their faith has helped transform lives where they live.
Each day up to the launch of the book, a short video of each extraordinary story will be added to YouTube. Today’s video features Paul Birch, who takes drama performances and workshops into prisons, schools and churches.
The Archbishop said: “Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of putting together a book which tells the story of twenty people who, through their faith in God, are helping to serve those around them. These are ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Through their faith, devotion, humility and attitude of service they are helping to transform the world around them. They remind us all that each individual has a role to play in society, and we each help to contribute to the Common Good of the nation”.
Quakers welcome move towards equal marriage
Ekklesia – Quakers in Britain have welcomed Commons vote (5 February) in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
Recording Clerk Paul Parker said: “This is the change in the law we have been seeking since 2009, when Quakers decided to recognise same-sex marriages. It is good to see that ministers and MPs have listened and voted for equality.
“We are excited to see this Bill. Three and a half years ago Quakers decided that same-sex couples should be able to marry in a Quaker meeting. Since then we have been waiting for the law to catch up. Today that has come a step closer.
“Quakers worship in inclusive meetings, where all committed loving relationships can be witnessed and spiritually celebrated as marriage. Quakers see God in everyone and that leads us to say all are born equal and our love is equal too. We welcome this law, knowing that it is right for us, and that it will not be imposed on other faith bodies who do not yet share our view.”
MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government’s legislation for same-sex marriage in England and Wales by 400 to 175: a majority of 225 in favour of the legislation.
Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.
Around 23,000 people attend nearly 475 Quaker meetings in Britain. Their commitment to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth challenges them to seek positive social and legislative change.
MEDIA REVIEW
Report that ‘young people are more likely to give up something for Lent than their elders, according to a poll’ for The Church Times.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9856216/Forget-hedonism-todays-young-prefer-lenten-abstinence.html
Reports that ‘a farmer has spent years planting and pruning thousands of willow trees to create a Christian message that can be read only from the sky’ near Whitesmith, East Sussex.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/376338/Heavens-Farmer-branches-into-Bible-verse
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2275043/Religious-farmer-plants-willow-trees-create-maze-shape-Biblical-verse.html#axzz2KIMU7wyz
Commentator Anne McElvoy argues that ‘for ordinary folk, gay marriage is no big deal’.
http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/anne-mcelvoy-for-ordinary-folk-gay-marriage-is-no-big-deal-8485119.html
Report that religious institutions have been priced out of offering civil partnership ceremonies by high licensing fees, according to Unitarian ministers and liberal rabbis’.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/feb/07/churches-priced-out-civil-partnerships
Reports that ‘couples who stay married for seven years are likely to stay together for good, according to experts’.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2275341/The-itch-myth-Couples-stay-married-seven-years-likely-stay-good.html#axzz2KIMU7wyz
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/divorce/9856012/Survive-the-first-ten-years-and-marriage-stays-strong.html