Church of England bishops have launched a splinter group for people who oppose the ordination of female bishops, but do not wish to convert to Roman Catholicism over the issue.The church says the initiative will provide a place where traditionalists "can worship and minister with integrity without accepting innovations that further distance the Church of England from the greater churches of the east and west".
A statement from nine bishops claim the Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda will appeal to Anglicans who want to remain "loyal to the comprehensive nature (within the confines) of the Church of England", in spite of their hostility to the prospect of female bishops and their failure to secure exemption from female leadership at a meeting at the Church of England's ruling body earlier this year.
The statement reads: "The unveiling of The Missionary Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda reflects a determination not to accept a code of practice as currently suggested by the General Synod, but to work for and create a more realistic approach that allows the integrity of those who cannot accept this innovation to be preserved, to flourish and grow within the Church of England.
"This development represents a constructive initiative on the part of those who cannot accept the innovations proposed in legislation and who are hurt and frustrated by the general Synod's inability to provide for their theological position."
A group campaigning for the ordination of female bishops condemned the initiative, saying it was "curious if not paradoxical" that traditionalists should choose St Hilda of Whitby as one of their patron saints.
A statement from Women and the Church (Watch), said: "As abbess of a double monastery, with men and women under her direction, kings and bishops came to her for guidance and advice. Hilda, of all people, knew about discipline and loyalty to her church."
It added that the committee tasked with drafting the legislation rejected the "society model" because of fears it would become a "weightier body than a diocese".
News of the initiative comes as regional synods meet to discuss the draft legislation for permitting women to the episcopate. They are not allowed to make substantial changes but they can propose major amendments, which would then be debated and voted on at General Synod.
There is a possibility the draft legislation could still fall without majority approval at this level or at General Synod in 2012.
If it is approved, the first female bishops would be appointed in 2014.
SIC: TG/UK