So begins the letter I have received from a number of bishops who oppose the addition of women to the episcopate. As I have often said, the concern here is (generally) related to ecclesiology rather than, as some silly people would have it, sexism or misogyny.
The issue of unity, especially Roman Catholic unity, is of paramount import here and as we, the CofE, are a reformed Catholic church, the links and relationships have a special place for some. What is sad is that there has been little or no generosity shown towards those who are Anglo catholic or conservative evangelicals and so exclusion by ignoring is to be the hallmark it seems.
I hear some who speak of redressing the situation women found themselves in for years as they were excluded - but when did Christian become a religion who were more concerned with 'settling scores' rather than turning cheeks?
I hear some who are fearful that adding women to the episcopate is to erode the structure and fidelity regarding God's word and will lead us to liberal mayhem (here they point to the Episcopalian church in the US).
Some have already left the parochial life of the CofE and have gone into other areas of work, secular and religious, whilst other will undoubtedly take up the path that leads to Rome and the Ordinariate.
The fifteen bishops state that whilst they are "United in their belief that the CofE is mistaken in its actions, " there is obvious some division over the response that should be taken regarding it.
Would that the Synod had passed the measure to give some charity and allow conscience to be respected - sadly, I am sure that had this been an issue on another side of the church's population this would have been the case.
Regardless of your vies, please pray for those who are struggling and seeing their home within the CofE taken away from them by law, and pray for charity and grace, for I see little of it in this area.
I have included the letter in the post preceding this.
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