Saturday, July 19, 2008

English bishop says General Synod was ‘unChristian’

An Anglo-Catholic leader in the Church of England has roundly slammed the majority of General Synod members as being "uncharitable and unChristian" during the York debate on women bishops.

The robust accusation comes from the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, chairman of the traditionalist body Forward in Faith. It follows the synod's refusal to make what traditionalists regard as sufficient provision for them when females start donning mitres in about 2012.

Bishop Broadhurst levels the charge in a message to Anglo-Catholics in which he speaks of the "real shock" of the York vote --- a shock which he experienced not because he expected to win but "because I had not realised the depth of the uncharitable and unChristian attitudes held by the majority".

During the debate it "became absolutely obvious that, in spite of appeals from both archbishops, the majority of so-called liberals were determined to see us out," says Bishop Broadhurst.

And in his statement the bishop reveals that he is "open" to suggestions that traditionalist parishes should stop paying their parish share as a protest at the outcome of the York vote.

But he also urges caution in this matter. He says: "Several have suggested that we should declare war on those who seek to destroy us. Particularly, the suggestion has been made that we stop paying diocesan quota [sic]. I am open on this matter but think now is not quite yet the time for such drastic gestures." Whatever traditionalists do "needs its timing to be agreed by us all so that we can act together," Bishop Broadhurst urges.

:: THE Bishop of Beverley, the Rt Rev Martyn Jarrett, the "flying bishop" in the York province, in a special post-synod message to traditionalist priests in his care, slams some of his brother bishops for their stance at York.

He declares: "The past few days at General Synod have been some of the most unpleasant in my ministry and I feel shame at much that has happened --- particularly at the contributions made by some of my episcopal colleagues."

Bishop Jarrett, who does not name the fellow bishops he's ashamed of, also laments that, despite being the only flying bishop on the synod, he was not called to speak during the synod --- "I never succeeded in catching the chairman's eye," he says pointedly.
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