Newspaper.Com PRICE £1.35 1,70J US$2.20 CHURCH of ENGLAND the ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED in 1828 NEWSPAPER Women Bishops Back on Track
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Morals The curse INSIDE and the of fast movies food diets, p11 p12 THE SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2013 No: 6185 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Women bishops back on track By Amaris Cole THE SECOND Church Estates Commis- sioner told the Synod he can only ‘hold the line’ in Parliament for another couple of years over women bishops. Before the Synod voted to set up a group to formulate new legislation on women bishops on Monday, Sir Tony Baldry MP said this represented a Pandora’s box, wait- ing to be opened by colleagues on both sides of the House who are ‘hostile’ to the Church. “I have to tell you there are also col- leagues who are really good friends of the Church of England, like Frank Field, who think the equality legislation already goes too far as far as the Church is concerned,” he warned. Sir Tony said: “I could hold the line in Parliament for another couple of years, but if we haven’t got this sorted by then I can’t account for the law of unattended conse- quences of accountability to colleagues on both sides of the House.” The politician said there are a number of Privy Councillors who are putting their mind to how they sort this, unless the Synod does so soon. Synod should avoid being in a bubble, the Church Commissioner went on. The Archbishop of Canterbury agreed, saying this was about how, not if, ‘so that women are ordained on exactly the same basis as men and all parts of the Church of England might be allowed to flourish’. The opening speech on the debate heard a sense of urgency was needed, due to Par- Option One, favoured by the Bishops as “It’s a risk strategy,” he said, as he pre- tion did not ensure enough provision for liament’s impatience and the blow felt by it relies least on law and places the greatest dicted some may think they cannot do it. those theologically against women in min- female clergy after the decision to vote emphasis on trust, ‘deserves to be taken “It’s a different way of framing what we istry, but the reassurance of the promise to against the legislation. seriously’, the Bishop said. do, and it might just work,” he added. account for this was repeatedly made. The Synod was told last November’s The Chair of the debate warned the The Bishop also suggested scrapping the Many amendments were proposed but decision caused a ‘profound mystification Synod would need patience and stamina for revision committee, as those that were on it only one passed, suggested by the Bishop and unhappiness around much of the this debate, as such a large number of peo- last time ‘still have the scars’, as merely a of Dover. Church of England’. ple indicated that they would like to speak. process of ‘nit-picking’. His amendment, calling for ‘robust The debate sought to move an affirma- One vocal member was the Bishop of Instead, he suggested it should instead accountability’ through a mediation tion of commitment to women bishops, to Willesden, Pete Broadbent, who had a ‘cun- just go straight to Synod, who will ‘own’ the process for a grievance procedure, could set up a Steering Committee to be in ning plan’. legislation, which the whole group agree include the possibility of mediatory disci- charge of drafting legislation and for the “I’ve tried it out on the House of Bishops, with. pline for Bishops. First Consideration stage for that legisla- the various campaign groups and folks in “If you think that’s worth running with, The resolution, as amended, passed 319 tion to be taken in November 2013. the bar last night,” he said, “So sorry if I please slip into your speeches: ‘I agree with to 84, with 22 recorded abstentions, and a The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and spoiled your drinking time.” Pete’. Steering Committee will now be formed. Ipswich, the Rt Rev Nigel Stock, reminded His proposal was forming a steering That way, Synod might avoid another The mood of the Synod was noticeably Synod that last year’s ‘no’ vote already group, perhaps larger than normal, who train crash, he asserted. And many subse- improved, but supporters of women bish- means ‘it will be at least two years longer are given the chance of entering into facili- quent speakers, on both sides of the ops appeared worried that such a large than we had hoped before we are able to tated discussions, and coming out with leg- debate, did. number were against even moving on to enrich the episcopate’. islation that is universally agreed on. Opponents suggested this latest resolu- the formulation of legislation. PETER MULLEN 7 • COMMENT 7 • LETTERS 8 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday July 14, 2013 News Inside... Drama over women bishops The original Church newspaper By Amaris Cole ing sites during the ‘facilitated ‘dramatic consequences’ of the now’, however this dramatic discussions’, though on Twitter actress who represented the bill approach to resolving the theo- THE UNUSUAL proceedings the Bishop of Bradford, Nick being taken off and murdered. logical opposition to women that took place on Saturday Baines, hinted that he had According to some members, bishops was mocked by many. behind closed doors at the Gen- found the meetings both ‘inter- ‘she died a few times’. “Each project is stimulated by eral Synod were aimed at resolv- esting’ and ‘bewildering’. Members of the Synod were a specific community’s experi- ing the dispute over women First, members were asked to encouraged to shout ‘freeze’ at ence of disempowerment and bishops, with sources revealing describe how they ‘feel’ about any point throughout the peri- struggle,” the director says of the day consisted of flip charts the women bishop arguments, od, and offer a solution to the his work. and drama. and results were written on flip problem. “Spectators are transformed For the first time, Saturday charts. The Archdeacon of Norwich, into ‘spect-actors’, not only was set aside for Synod mem- Then, during skits called Kill the Venerable Jan McFarlane, observing but truly acting to bers to take part in small group The Bill, a reference to the stepped into the role of bishop, change the scenes they repre- sessions, from which the press Tarantino film, it is reported by taking the dog collar and put- sented.” and public were excluded. that actors were used to repre- ting it on herself, saying: ‘sort- A question during the session The private meetings were sent the bill itself, a bishop, a ed’. of Friday night revealed that designed to help members woman priest, a traditionalist Following the ‘train crash’ of this, along with the Working resolve the huge problem of and someone who wanted to last summer’s ‘No’ vote, this Group on Women Bishops, has women bishops, and the Arch- keep all the other people happy. unusual tactic was taken to try cost the Church of England bishop’s Director of Reconcilia- The idea was to ‘reflect and to get the two sides of the £30,000. News . .1-6 tion, Canon David Porter, highlight’ some of the tensions debate to consider the opinions A Bishop told The Church of Your Church . .2 thought the best way to do this and disagreements surrounding of the other. England Newspaper that he UK News . .1-4 would be through drama. the new legislative proposals for Forum Theatre was created thought the sessions were use- World News . .6 There were 25 specially ‘Woman in the Episcopate’. by Augusto Boal, who members ful, in that it gave those who are trained facilitators brought to After observing the play for were told is a visionary theatre not so vocal in Synod meetings Comment York to run these sessions, the first time, the bishop told director, called ‘The Liberation to voice their opinions. Leader . .7 along with actors to help with the group they had three min- Theologian of the Theatre’. It taught the two sides noth- Peter Mullen . .7 the drama. utes to solve the problem dur- The group claim his methods ing new, but the Bishop was Letters . .8 Members were specifically ing subsequent performances show that ‘theatre can make pleased that everyone was Andrew Carey . .9 told not to use social network- and change the course of the radical changes in the here and allowed to have their say. Whispering Gallery . .9 Cindy Kent . .10 Arts and Media . .11 Church of England given 20 years to reassert its future Books and Media . .11 Janey Lee Grace . .12 THE CHURCH has 20 years to reassert its to manage decline. We need to identify Crossword . .12 future, the Second Church Estates Commis- where growth is taking place. We need to sioner warned Synod on Saturday evening. think about how to share the faith with During a debate on the Challenges for the friends and family without wilting with The Record Quinquennium, Sir Tony Baldry MP called embarrassment.” Anglican Life . .13 for a ‘sense of urgency’ about growing the Also in the debate, the Bishop of Sodor Clergy Moves . .14 Church and suggested a new campaign to and Man, the Rt Rev Robert Paterson, called Spiritual Director . .15 reunite Church members. for a “renewed sense of confidence” in shar- Sunday Service . .15 He said the issue of ordaining women to ing the Christian faith. Peter Brierley . .15 the episcopate had ‘put everyone into The Synod voted to pass a measure that Paul Richardson .