FATHER PAUL writes ... - September 2008
I’m afraid I must return to what I was writing about in last month’s magazine - the subject of the ordination of women as bishops. In the event, the debate in July’s General Synod proved to be every bit as bad as expected, and the result of the vote remarkable for its total lack of generosity towards those who cannot conscientiously go along with this change to the Church’s ordained ministry.
Up to now the Church of England has been famous for being inclusive and non-dogmatic. That’s how it has defined itself. Following the Synod vote it seems that, although there may be room for any number of views about, say, the resurrection, there is room for only one view about ordained ministry. If you cannot accept the ministry of women as bishops and priests, there is no place for you. It’s as simple as that.
To say that this decision has caused pain and anger is a massive understatement. Even some of the bishops who took part in the debate and are themselves in favour of change were sorry and anxious at the lack of charity displayed - and horrified at the likely consequences. No doubt they will go on talking amongst themselves to try to find a way forward out of this mess. I think that what Bishop Keith has written is true; however hard the catholic group on Synod fights to reverse what has been decided or to secure concessions, and however much the House of Bishops tries to soften the effect of the legislation, the dogmatic liberals who dominate the Synod, and indeed much of the Church of England’s life in general, will never be satisfied until all doubts have been silenced and all opposition crushed. This isn’t just about women bishops, it’s about the nature of the Church. Anglo-Catholics who say: "Well, we must fight to save the Church of England, just like our heroic predecessors did before us" had better be prepared for a very long and painful struggle, with no guarantee of success at the end of it.
They must also ask themselves what it is they’re trying to save. Is it worth it?
Please read what Bishop Keith, Bishop Edwin and others have written. Some of their statements are displayed on the notice-boards in church.
Meanwhile, in the short-term at least, we must wait and see what happens. The Bishops of Richborough and Ebbsfleet and other bishops are arranging a series of meetings with their clergy. I hope to attend one of them before very long, and then I shall be in a better position to gauge the mood.
And what do we do as a church family here at S Francis? Well, we go on doing what we have always done. We don’t give up on personal prayer and bible-reading. We keep on coming to Mass, knowing that if we don’t we shall starve spiritually. We continue to proclaim the gospel by serving our brothers and sisters in the wider community. We encourage and support one another. We remind ourselves that, though we may be on a journey into the unknown, the risen Lord walks beside us. And most of all we put our faith in God who, unlike the bishops and synods of the Church of England, never breaks his promises.