At its synod, the Church of England voted not to allow a provision to grant alternative male oversight to clergy and parishes who believe a woman should not serve as a bishop.<\/p>\n
I have always been ambivalent about the legitimacy of women bishops: I think there are good arguments on both sides. That being said, it seems to me inconsistent to allow women priests but disallow women bishops. So, although I have reservations, I find myself not completely averse to either women priests or bishops.<\/p>\n
But is this really about women being called by God to serve as priests and bishops? I don\u2019t think so: if it were we wouldn\u2019t need a campaign<\/a>:<\/p>\n Christina Rees, of Women and the Church, which campaigns in favour of women bishops, said: “We have already tried our best to keep everyone in [the church] and to increase the level of communion between those who hold different views on women’s ministry.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n None of the recent battles at the CofE synod focussed much on God\u2019s calling: the big thing is the battle for Equality \u2013 a secular notion that is the antithesis of Christian service, sacrifice, dying to self, humility, placing others high than oneself and carrying one\u2019s cross. Not that I am much good at any of those things either \u2013 but then I\u2019m not mounting a campaign to further their antipode.<\/p>\n One thing that rules out all these ladies for bishop is \u2013 they are too eager to become one: that should disqualify anyone.<\/p>\n Other than ambition, lust for power and vanity, I can’t imagine why anyone would want<\/em> to be a bishop. I know of very few bishops who are sufficiently unpretentious to be taken at all seriously: better to become a barmaid, they occasionally make sense.<\/p>\n Kingsley Amis, in his Advice to a Writer<\/em>, restores proportion to the office of bishop and archbishop. Ladies, take note. \u00a0It even has a Canadian ending:<\/p>\n That time you heard the archbishop fart At its synod, the Church of England voted not to allow a provision to grant alternative male oversight to clergy and parishes who believe a woman should not serve as a bishop. I have always been ambivalent about the legitimacy … Continue reading
\nYou did quite right to say.
\nAnd should the ploughboy turn up gold
\nThe news would make our day.
\nBut when the ploughboy farts henceforth
\nForget about it, eh?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"