Code for Women Bishops Published As History Is Made at Llandaff Bishop Geralyn Wolf
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Harvest 2014 | Esgobaeth Llandaf | Diocese of Llandaff Ancient Chapel School leavers welcomed Royal picture guests special Page 4 Pages 6/7 Code for Women Bishops published as history is made at Llandaff Bishop Geralyn Wolf Guidelines for new legislation to ordain women as bishops aim to make everyone feel valued in the Church, regardless of their views on the issue, the Archbishop of Wales has said. Archbishop Barry was speaking at the Governing Body of the Church in Wales College, Cardiff, and Bishop Geralyn as he outlined the code of practice for was a keynote speaker. She said, “It is women bishops, which accompanies an honour to be leading the service at legislation allowing women to be Llandaff Cathedral. This is an exciting ordained as bishops which came into time for women – they have many gifts effect on September 12. It was drawn and talents that will excite the church up by the Church’s seven bishops at and allow it to minister in new ways. the request of its Governing Body. “Any step which crosses a transition “The Code of Practice we have is difficult to make and I hope that the produced has not been produced for the changes ahead are seen as benefit of one side or the other in the opportunities and that the gifts of the debate but for the whole church. That is many women I have met here will be what you asked us to do. The Bill utilized.” explicitly says that the Code should be She warned about the prejudices that drawn up in such a way that every face women bishops, “There is always member of the Church in Wales might going to be differentiation between men feel secure. In other words, this Code is and women bishops. But I hope we can not just for those who in conscience ministry. In these issues, as in others, alternative sacramental provision. lift it up so that people can see that dissent but is a code for every member we invite the Church to unite in the many times it is plain and simply unfair. of the Church in Wales,” said the greater task of proclaiming the Gospel.” History made at Llandaff Cathedral “A man walks into a church and he Archbishop. The bishops wrote the Code after Just days before the legislation came receives trust, admiration and “Bishops have a particular consulting widely across the Province. into effect history was made when acceptance. He has authority. We walk responsibility for matters of faith and Its guiding principles were: Bishop Geralyn Wolf, retired Bishop of into a church and we have to gain that order and we want to be as inclusive as • Any woman Diocesan Bishop Rhode Island, become the first woman trust, gain that authority and that is a possible which is why we are able to becomes such on exactly the same Anglican bishop to lead a service at totally different starting point. I still affirm wholeheartedly the ordination of terms, and with the same jurisdiction, Llandaff Cathedral on September 4. believe that a strong woman is still women to the episcopate and can also as any other Diocesan Bishop in the The public service was part of an called bitchy, difficult, unsympathetic – accept that provision should be made Province; event called Crossing The Threshold, we still get those tags placed on us.” for those who cannot accept their • Provision for those who object to the held to mark the start of the new One of the conference organisers was sacramental ministry. By making such a ministry of women bishops has to be legislation in Wales. the Revd Jan Gould, priest-in-charge of provision, our hope is that no-one will pastoral, not structural; She was joined by another bishop Glan Ely benefice in Cardiff. She said, feel the need to leave the Church in • Those who in conscience cannot from the United States – Bishop Gayle “This conference is about how we Wales. receive the sacramental ministry of Harris, the Suffragan Bishop of ‘cross the threshold’ to a transformed “In the Church in Wales, we, as your women should not be excluded from Massachusetts, who made history days leadership with the Church in Wales. bishops, quite frankly see Christ at work being considered for ordination; earlier by becoming the first woman “Anglican women bishops in the USA in our members, married or single, gay • No specific alternative bishop should Anglican bishop to preside at a service have a huge amount to share and this or straight, we perceive the call of God be provided for those who are unable in the whole of Wales when she visited is a unique opportunity to engage with in women to all three orders, and we in conscience to accept the ministry St Asaph Cathedral. their experience and to see together are respectful of the faith of those who of a woman bishop, but there should The Crossing The Threshold what that might mean for the future of cannot in conscience receive such be a means to request and receive conference took place at St Michael’s the Church in Wales.” 2 croeso Harvest 2014 Comings and goings time ministry. the community instead of curacies in Mountain Ash and going out there and spreading For the last two years Sue, has waiting for the community to Llantwit Major before spending the good news.” been the assistant curate come into church to find me.” nine years as Team Vicar in the (NSM) of Caerphilly, which Rectorial Benefice of Llantwit Debra Sexton is the new part- means that her work for the Major. time secretary working church has been carried out Archbishop Barry said, alongside Denise Morgan at alongside her paid work as a “Michael Komor has served all Llys Esgob. She took over from primary school teacher. his ministry in the Llandaff Mary Brice who retired in June But as her desire to work full- Diocese. He is highly regarded after five years. time as a priest grew, Sue by his colleagues and has been decided to give up teaching responsible for training many and she has now been curates”. Appointments appointed assistant curate of Caerphilly (Stipendiary). She Former Catholic priest left the Gaer Junior School in becomes Team Vicar in Newport, where she taught year Canton 3/4 pupils in July, after a A former Catholic priest has teaching career spanning 30 Former scientist is new become Team Vicar in Canton years, and took up her new full- priest for Rhondda – two years after being time post on September 1. “I realised that my heart was in Cynon Taff received as a curate into The The Revd Sue Rees has been Church in Wales. ministry and I did not think that I could fulfil God’s call and licensed as the priest-in-charge The Revd Phelim O’Hare , who of the parishes of Pontyclun was formerly a priest in the continue teaching. I am really looking forward to my new role and Talygarn with Llanharry. Roman Catholic Church in In Pontyclun and Talygarn, she Resignations Northern Ireland and left to and want to embrace it fully The Revd Canon Steven Kirk The Revd Dr Anthony Rustell and will take all my teaching took over from the Revd Grace has been appointed the new marry, has been licensed as Karamura who left earlier this has resigned as priest –in- Team Vicar of the Rectorial experience of working with Area Dean of Caerphilly and charge of the parish of children with me into my year after eleven years service Merthyr Tydfil Deanery – taking Benefice of Canton. and in Llanharry she took over Tongwynlais and Director of Phelim, who has been ministry,” said Sue. over from Canon Robert Ministerial Development. The Assistant Bishop of from the Revd Roger Pitman. Donkin, Rector of the Parish of assistant curate (NSM) in the Sue joined the two parishes Anthony has accepted the post parish for the past two years Llandaff, David Wilbourne said, Caerphilly, who has retired. of Residentiary Canon and “Incredibly Sue managed to from Eglwysilan where she was Canon Steven remains Vicar of as well as chaplain at the priest in charge. She was Head of Mission, Discipleship Cathedral School in Llandaff, combine completing a Theology the parish of Ystrad Mynach and Ministry in the Diocese of degree with teaching and non- ordained as a deacon 12 years and Llanbradach and also takes over as Team Vicar from ago after spending 20 years Portsmouth and will take up his Revd Martin Colton, who has stipendiary ministry.” Canon of Llandaff Cathedral. post this month. Dr Rustell working as a scientist in the Previously he was Area Dean of moved to Surrey. NHS - in the field of came to Llandaff from the Phelim, who grew up in a faith Margam during his 14 years in Diocese of Oxford in 2011. cytogenetics - studying Port Talbot, where he served family, felt a calling to enter chromosome abnormalities. the priesthood from his teens – before moving to Ystrad “Initially I felt that God wanted Mynach in 2007. serving as a Roman Catholic me to be a Reader but priest in Northern Ireland for “I am looking forward to gradually I realised that he was working more closely with the three years before leaving calling me for ordination. As active ministry to marry. clergy in the deanery and both a scientist and a priest it tackling the challenges that He moved to Wales twelve is people who are at the heart years ago, along with his wife face us in our part of the of what I do – whether it’s their Diocese.