Church of England to decide on women bishops

[cbayer]

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/church-of-england-to-decide-on-women-bishops.aspx?pageID=238&nID=34973&NewsCatID=393

LONDON - Agence France-Presse


The Reverend Jane Morris speaks during an interview at St Gabriels Church in Cricklewood, north London November 18, 2012. REUTERS Photo

The Church of England's legislative body was kicking off Monday a three-day general assembly which will vote on whether to allow women bishops, in its biggest decision for 20 years.

The 470-strong General Synod was to vote Tuesday on an issue which has split traditionalists and liberals, two decades after England's established state church backed the introduction of women priests.

Women now make up a third of the church's clergy but commentators say the vote could nonetheless be tight, with The Times newspaper saying it was "on a knife-edge".

The meeting of the General Synod, which is formed of three houses -- bishops, clergy and laity -- is taking place at Church House, in the shadow of Westminster Abbey in central London.

more at link

[TrogL]

1. Anglican Church of Canada already has them

We've had two in a row, both more than able.

[trotsky]

2. Religion has always been particularly slow to adopt radical change. n/t

[trotsky]

3. UPDATE: They've decided.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121855692

Religion is indeed particuarly slow to adopt change.

[dimbear]

4. Interesting that it was the laity who couldn't muster the 2/3 majority needed.

Just a matter of time here, clearly. Faced with a choice between doing the right thing and doing the biblical thing, the right thing will win through in the end.

[kwassa]

5. Change happens at different speeds in different places.

In the same religion.

The US branch of the Anglican church has a woman as Presiding Bishop, head of the national church, right now. We've had women bishops since 1989, women have been ordained officially since 1976.

the Church of England has lots of problems.

[trotsky]

6. Only took 300 years for the American branch.

Not bad!

[dimbear]

7. A little more on the vote: the measure failed in the Laity by 6 votes.

Here's the kicker: almost half of the women voting voted against it.

[cbayer]

8. Why do you think that is, dimbear?

[dimbear]

9. The news just says there seemed to be a lot of conservative women voting the way they

interpreted the Bible.

Of course I am gobsmacked as usual.