A group of 14 English Anglo-Catholic bishops have issued a pastoral letter to clergy today who were upset over the General Synod vote on women bishops. In their letter, the bishops call for calm, but dismiss the idea of a Code of Practice to protect traditionalists.In the letter, the Bishops call for calm and calls on traditionalist Anglo-Catholics to be patient and to stay in the Anglican Communion.
However, they warn that the proposed Code of Practice is unacceptable.
Last month some 1,400 clergy signed an open letter urging both Archbishops (of Canterbury and York) to provide proper ecclesial provisions for those opposed to the inclusion of women in the episcopate.
Today’s letter also urges the clergy to engage in the approaching Synodical processes rather than fleeing the Church of England.
One of the authors of the letter, the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, added: “We are saying that it’s not over until the fat lady sings. We’re quite determined that we are going to do our best to sort it out.”
Other signatories of the letter include the Bishops of Chichester, Burnley, Horsham, and Edmonton. However, some critics are surprised that the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, has signed the letter after an article in the Catholic Herald in which he suggested it was time for traditionalist to join the Roman Catholic Church.
The letter, addressed to the 1,400 signatories reads: “We share the shock and disappointment you must be feeling following the recent debate and decision of the General Synod on provision for those opposed to the ordination of women to the episcopate in the Church of England.”
The letter continues that it deems that the inclusion of women bishops in the Church of England is inevitable. “It is now clear that the majority in this General Synod, and probably in the Church of England at large, believes it is right to admit women to the episcopate.
“If that is so, it is vital for the most catholic of reasons that there must be no qualifications or restrictions to their ministry.”
However the letter then calls for ‘proper provision’. It states: “That means, however, that proper ecclesial provision must be made for those who cannot accept this innovation.”
It continues: “A code of practice in any form cannot deliver such ecclesial provision, and we want the Manchester Group and the House of Bishops to be in no doubt about the seriousness of the situation.”
The letter assures the clergy that the House of Bishops wishes to remain “in the driving seat” of this process. They add that they would be encouraging the House of Bishops to recognize that “proper ecclesial provision” would still be needed. It continued to urge disillusioned Anglo-Catholics to bear out the approaching synodical processes and to continue to “struggle for the catholic identity of the Church of England.”
The letter adds: “However hard it is, it is essential that we behave with grace and charity towards everyone.”
The Bishop of Fulham said: “An enormous number of people are looking to us for leadership and it would be utterly unhelpful if the Church of England did not cater for us.”
He said that there was a misconception that the anti-women bishops’ party was very small. “People say that it’s just a few clergymen making a fuss. However, it’s nothing of the kind.”
He continued: “The Church of England has materially changed its stance and we can’t accept that.”
Regarding the Bishop of Ebbsfleet’s apparent U-turn, he said: “He signed the letter. I think that Bishop Burnham has just said it in a different way.”
General Synod member Christina Rees and Chair of WATCH (Women and the Church) said the letter was ‘entirely appropriate’ and she could fully understand why certain bishops had written it.
However she also said: “I think to say that the Code of Practice can’t deliver is to pre-empt the process we are all involved in.
“There was absolutely no hint during July’s General Synod debate that anyone wants all the traditionalists and Anglo-Catholics to leave the Church of England.”
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