Seeker

"Like a mighty tortoise moves the church of God. Brothers we are treading where we've always trod." Any institution changes slowly and change is costly. Should the consecration as bishops of women as well as men be at any cost? Not at any cost in my view, but inevitably at some cost. Where there is disagreement its resolution almost always involves compromise. The draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure supported by 42 of the 44 dioceses already represents a potentially workable compromise. It is arguable if the 2 additional amendments added last week by the House of Bishops are a compromise too far (for some) or not far enough (for others). Yesterday was Josephine Butler's commemoration day. Thinking about her I wondered if we can learn anything from the history of higher education for women that is relevant for the C. of E.'s currently ridiculous position in relation to women in the episcopate? As referred to in a previo...

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. and suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." Acts 2: 1-4 Faithful God who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way to life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Common Worship Pentecost Post Communion Prayer I mage: Pentecost Bonfire by Marcin Bajer, Plickr, CC Licence

Following yesterday's post I intended to do a round-up today of reactions to the amendments made on Monday to the draft measure to enable women to be consecrated as bishops in the Church of England. David Keen at Opinionated Vicar has got there first, so I'm not going to waste time reinventing the wheel - if you're interested take a look at his round up with a range of links and thoughts from different perspectives  here . Thank you David Keen. My own thoughts and feelings on the matter have turned to deep disappointment that any amendments were added to the draft legislation. I think this already includes enough protection for those who believe they must be protected from female leaders in the church. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 is about to celebrate 60 years as 'supreme governor' of the Church of England. (This post's title comes from a phrase in Telling Secrets' post 'Church of England lays another curate...