Women and the episcopate Some background notes

The Development of women’s ministry in the Church of England Deaconess Community of St Andrew founded 1861 Until 1980s law allows only men to be admitted to holy orders in C of E Church Assembly explores ordination of women in 1966 General Synod resolves: ‘there are no fundamental objections to the ordination of women to the priesthood’(1975)... but does not proceed to legislation

Development of women’s ministry Synod approves Measures allowing women to be ordained to the diaconate (1985) and presbyterate (1992) First women deacons ordained 1987, first women priests March 1994 By 2009 women make up: 29% of all serving clergy 47% of those recommended for ordination training In mid 2010, 14 female archdeacons (13%) and 4 female cathedral deans (9%).

Provision Provision for those unable to accept the ordination of women to the priesthood (1992): Resolution A –precludes women from presiding at Holy Communion and pronouncing absolution Resolution B –precludes appointment of female incumbent, P-i-C, TV Act of Synod (1993): parishes able to request episcopal oversight by Provincial Episcopal Visitor (‘flying bishop’)

Provision House of Bishops’ paper Bonds of Peace 1993 proposing Act of Synod: ‘Those who for a variety of reasons cannot conscientiously accept that women may be ordained as priests will continue to hold a legitimate and recognised place within the Church of England’

Today’s Church of England Latest available figures (2010) suggest: 802 Resolution A parishes (6.4%) 966 Resolution B parishes (7.7%) 362 petition under the Act of Synod (2.9%)

Anglican Communion Admission of women to diaconate and priesthood considered by both 1968 and 1978 Lambeth Conferences Agreed decisions were for each Province, having ‘sought and carefully considered’ advice from the instruments of Communion Lambeth Conference 1988 extended this approach to women bishops, resolving that each Province was free to decide for itself, while ‘maintaining the highest possible degree of communion with Provinces which differ’

Anglican Communion 1989 Episcopal Church in the USA the first Church in Anglican Communion to admit a woman to the episcopate Now women bishops in Australia, Canada, New Zealand (and in the extra-provincial Episcopal Church of Cuba) In 11 other Churches (including Scotland and Ireland) no legal bar to such consecrations. 11 women bishops attended Lambeth Conference in 1998; 18 in 2008.

Anglican Communion 1998 Lambeth Conference passed resolution calling all Provinces to: –‘uphold the principle of ‘Open Reception’ as it relates to the ordination of women to the priesthood…’ –‘affirm that those who dissent from, as well as those who assent to, the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate are both loyal Anglicans’ –‘to make provision, including appropriate episcopal ministry, as will enable them to live in the highest possible degree of communion possible…’

Women and the Episcopate July 2000 General Synod passed motion requesting further theological study on the issue Working Party chaired by Michael Nazir-Ali, then Bishop of Rochester ‘Women Bishops in the Church of England?’ (The Rochester Report) published November 2004 Synod ‘took note’ of Rochester Report (Feb 2005) and (July 2005) voted to ‘set in train the process for removing the legal obstacles to the ordination of women to the episcopate’.

The Rochester Report The arguments for: –new ways of looking at biblical material (fresh perspectives on ‘headship’ and alternative interpretations of 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy) –the overall trajectory of scripture –the evidence for women’s ministry in the Early Church –a dynamic view of tradition –the need for both men and women to represent Christ –the Church of England’s right to develop its own orders –the significance of the 1992 decision to ordain women priests –the missiological need for women bishops.

The Rochester Report The arguments against (catholic anglican perspective): –not wedding mission to the spirit of the age –it would be a move away from the historical tradition of the church –the maleness of Christ –breaking with understandings hitherto held in common with RC and Orthodox Churches –the problem of sacramental assurance –the need for bishops to be a focus of unity.

The Rochester Report The arguments against (Conservative Evangelical perspective): –not all decided at the ordination of women to the priesthood –‘functional sub-ordination’ (i.e. headship) –Galatians 3.28 not being a general statement about equality –a woman could not be an icon of God the Father –the inappropriateness of a woman exercising Episcopal authority –ordaining women bishops being contrary to the principle of reception –the danger of the ‘feminisation’ of the Church.

The Guildford Group After Rochester Report, House of Bishops set up new working group (‘Guildford Group’) Guildford Group report (January 2006) considered 3 options: – a ‘single clause’ Measure (allowing women to be bishops) – a Third Province for those who were unable to accept women as bishops – ‘transferred episcopal arrangements’ (TEA) where parishes who could not accept a woman bishop could opt to receive the ministry of a male Provincial Regional Bishop

Guildford/Gloucester Report General Synod agreed February 2006 further exploration of Transferred Episcopal Arrangements plus associated Code of Practice Bishops of Guildford and Gloucester asked to undertake further work Their report (June 2006) sought to clarify TEA A further possible model – Special Episcopal Oversight (SEO) proposed that functions be delegated, rather than transferred, to the male SEO bishop.

Guildford/Gloucester Report Report considered by College of Bishops (June 2006) College also heard from Cardinal Walter Kasper who set out opposition of the RC Church and implications for Anglican-RC relations College also heard from senior female clergy and laity who supported proceeding with consecration of women but expressed reservations about TEA.

Guildford/Gloucester Report House of Bishops unable to endorse any particular option But majority affirmed support for the principle of women bishops July 2006 Synod resolved: ‘That this Synod welcome and affirm the view of the majority of the House of Bishops that admitting women to the episcopate in the Church of England is consonant with the faith of the Church as the Church of England has received it and would be a proper development in proclaiming afresh in this generation the grace and truth of Christ.’

Guildford/Gloucester Report Synod voted to set up Legislative Drafting Group: –to prepare draft Measure and amending Canon necessary to remove the legal obstacles to the consecration of women to the office of bishop –To prepare ‘a draft of possible additional legal provision consistent with Canon A417 to establish arrangements that would seek to maintain the highest possible degree of communion with those conscientiously unable to receive the ministry of women bishops’.

The Manchester Group Group started work (Jan 2007) under Bishop of Manchester Report (April 2008) set out the challenge to find a way forward that: (a) had ecclesiological integrity (b) left space within the CofE for those who in conscience could not accept the priestly or Episcopal ministry of women (c) avoided any flavour of discrimination or half-heartedness on the part of the Church of England towards women priests and bishops.

The Manchester Group Report offered the following options: 1.the simplest possible statutory approach with no binding national arrangements 2.legislation providing the basis for special arrangements for those unable to receive the ministry of women bishops (within the structure of the existing C of E) 3.legislation creating new structures within C of E

The Manchester Group Majority of the House of Bishops (May 2008) supported second option and recommended to General Synod a national Code of Practice to serve those who were unable to accept women bishops - entailing delegation (not transfer) of functions from the diocesan to ‘complementary’ male bishop.

The Manchester Group In response, July 2008 General Synod passed motion to: (a) affirm that the wish of its majority is for women to be admitted to the episcopate (b) affirm its view that special arrangements be available, within the existing structures of the C of E, for those who as a matter of theological conviction will not be able to receive the ministry of women as bishops or priests (c) affirm that these should be contained in a statutory national code of practice to which all concerned would be required to have regard (d) instruct the legislative drafting group, in consultation with the House of Bishops, to complete its work accordingly, including preparing the first draft of a code of practice, so that the Business Committee can include first consideration of the draft legislation in the agenda for the February 2009 group of sessions.’

The draft legislation February 2009 Synod gave First Consideration to the draft Measure and Amending Canon Agreed that they should be committed to the Revision Committee The Synod also had before it an illustrative draft Code of Practice prepared by the drafting group.

The draft legislation Revision Committee met May 2009; reported May 2010 Received 297 submissions (114 from Synod members) Arguments for alternative approach to the legislation: – a ‘single clause’ Measure –‘statutory transfer’ –‘society solution’ –additional dioceses. Committee rejected alternatives but made other changes.

The draft legislation Clause 1 of the Measure (unchanged by Revision Committee): –Permits the consecration of women as bishops and the continued ordination of women to the priesthood –Repeals the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 –Makes transitional provisions regarding Resolutions A and B under the 1993 Measure.

The draft legislation The Measure (as revised): –Obliges diocesan bishops to have a scheme for delegating episcopal ministry to a male bishop –Entitles a parish to issue a ‘Letter of Request’ to the diocesan bishop seeking the ministry of a male bishop –Entitles a parish to issue a ‘Letter of Request during a Vacancy’ to the diocesan bishop requesting a male priest be appointed –Requires the House of Bishops to draw up a Code of Practice, approved by General Synod.

The draft legislation At General Synod July 2010 the Archbishops propose amendments: –that male bishops ministering to parishes that had issued a Letter of Request would exercise ‘co-ordinate jurisdiction’ with diocesan bishop (i.e. jurisdiction conferred by Measure, not delegation) But Synod rejects this, as it may undermine the authority of any female bishop, and also rejected amendments to create additional dioceses.

The draft legislation Legislation went on to complete Revision Stage with only minor amendments Most significant: a requirement that any repeal of the Measure or Canon would require a two-thirds majority in each House, as opposed to simple majorities) Draft Measure and Amending Canon now referred to dioceses as agreed by General Synod.