Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Opt-out for parishioners opposed to women bishops

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/optout-for-parishioners-opposed-to-women-bishops-1216240.html

[Independent] 30 Dec 2008--The Church of England last night tried to avoid a split by watering down its plans for the consecration of women bishops, granting an opt-out to parishioners who refuse to accept the spiritual authority of female clergy.

Under the church's proposals, parishes could bypass women bishops and women priests by taking their leadership from specially consecrated male "complementary" bishops.

Parents could elect to have their children confirmed and baptised by male clergy while congregations could seek to have sacraments and other divine service removed from the responsibility of a female bishop.

Related articles:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5415802.ece

Historic Church of England deal paves way for first women bishops - Times Online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/30/female-bishops-church-of-england
Church tries to quell dissent over female bishops with new role - Guardian
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/women-bishops-want-male-authority/2008/12/30/1230399211512.html
Women bishops want male authority - Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr10308.html
Women in the Episcopate draft Measure published - The Church of England
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/papers/womenbishopsdebate/furtherreport
Further Report of the Women Bishops Legislative Drafting Group - December 2008 - The Church of England

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