Post by FaithWalker on Jul 8, 2008 6:53:22 GMT -6
LONDON — The Church of England's ruling body voted its support Monday for women to become bishops, a move that risks further division because it lacked accommodation for traditionalists opposed to the idea.
The decision after hours of debate among leaders of the British church came even as the Anglican church worldwide wrestles with the more contentious issues of a gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex marriages.
One bishop broke down in tears at the meeting of senior British church leaders in York, in northern England, as he described his distress at the church's lack of willingness to accommodate the traditionalists.
"I feel ashamed," said the Right Rev. Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who is in favor of women bishops. "We have talked for hours about wanting to give an honorable place to those who disagree. We have been given opportunities for both views to flourish. We have turned down every, almost realistic opportunity for those who are opposed, to flourish."
More than a dozen other Anglican churches around the world have authorized women to serve as bishops. The Episcopal church, the Anglican body in the U.S., is led by a woman, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori.
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The decision after hours of debate among leaders of the British church came even as the Anglican church worldwide wrestles with the more contentious issues of a gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex marriages.
One bishop broke down in tears at the meeting of senior British church leaders in York, in northern England, as he described his distress at the church's lack of willingness to accommodate the traditionalists.
"I feel ashamed," said the Right Rev. Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who is in favor of women bishops. "We have talked for hours about wanting to give an honorable place to those who disagree. We have been given opportunities for both views to flourish. We have turned down every, almost realistic opportunity for those who are opposed, to flourish."
More than a dozen other Anglican churches around the world have authorized women to serve as bishops. The Episcopal church, the Anglican body in the U.S., is led by a woman, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Full Article