It's an old joke ... the "woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" one. And it's one I thought about today as I read the details of the "compromise" proposed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York about the "problem" of women bishops in the CofE.Although that debate is far from over, a significant step was the CofE clergy holding back efforts to write into their polity "concessions" to the "traditionalists" that would -- among other things -- require that a woman bishop have a male "co-ordinate" ... you know ... a REAL bishop ... to fill the gap between the things women can do as bishops and men can do as bishops.
Which would be ... ?????
(And if you want to take a minute to go check and make sure it actually IS the 21st century go right ahead ... don't blame you a bit.)
The very IDEA that a woman bishop ... or any OTHER kind of woman, for that matter ... needs a man to "validate" her orders ... or her existence ... is an Exhibit A/Gold Star/E-Ticket reason why the church is perceived by SO many to be an utterly irrelevant remnant of our shamefully sexist, patriarchal past.
So "way to go" CofE!
6 comments:
This was taken from The Official Website of the British Monarchy:
The Sovereign holds the title 'Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England'.
There are many examples of the relationship between the established Church and the State.
Archbishops and bishops are appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who considers the names selected by a Church Commission. They take an oath of allegiance to The Queen on appointment and may not resign without Royal authority.
The connection between Church and State is also symbolised by the fact that the 'Lords Spiritual' (consisting of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and 24 diocesan bishops) sit in the House of Lords. Parish priests also take an oath of allegiance to The Queen."
How does the Church of England view the queen? Why does Queen Elizabeth II not weigh in on this debate? I am sure there is a logical answer that I am missing.
"Why does Queen Elizabeth II not weigh in on this debate?"
The Queen never publicly weighs in on any debate. She must always act on the advice of the Prime Minister.
However in private (weekly meetings between just the two of them) she has the right to advise. I do not know what regular relationship she has with the Archbishop of Canterbury but again it would never be made pubic. If the Queen were ever to make a political comment, it would probably be the end of the monarchy.
Since ordaining women priests / bishops .... I'm wondering how much Fruit in the Kingdom there has been from that?
On the surface, I just see a huge decline in the number of people that are accepting Christ as Savior in the Episcopal Church.
I see a lacuna of Leadership in TEC... and I see women being impatient, and not waiting on the Lord, rushing in to fill the vacuum.
I wonder if there could be more fruit if Leadership remained all male...?
I still think we should focus more on the actual seekers, the ones coming through the doors.
... We've been on this Liberal tack for quite a while now... if it's so wonderful, then why has new membership been reduced to less than a trickle?
KJS-- Aren't you concerned at all?
The UK only has that to look forward to now.... which isn't anything but entrophy.
Since ordaining women priests / bishops .... I'm wondering how much Fruit in the Kingdom there has been from that?
On the surface, I just see a huge decline in the number of people that are accepting Christ as Savior in the Episcopal Church.
I see a lacuna of Leadership in TEC... and I see women being impatient, and not waiting on the Lord, rushing in to fill the vacuum.
I wonder if there could be more fruit if Leadership remained all male...?
I still think we should focus more on the actual seekers, the ones coming through the doors.
... We've been on this Liberal tack for quite a while now... if it's so wonderful, then why has new membership been reduced to less than a trickle?
KJS-- Aren't you concerned at all?
The UK only has that to look forward to now.... which isn't anything but entrophy.
Gee ... business is booming where I am.
We’ve been blessed over the past 10-15 years by the contributions of perhaps ten different women priests at my church, and now there are two wonderful new female bishops in our diocese. We are also about to embark on a large building project. I can’t obviously can’t comment on congregations other than my own. Nor would I.
The “all male” leadership within the Catholic Church hasn’t been working out all that well, judging by the damaged lives, multiple lawsuits, billions in settlements and negative headlines from around the world. How can it be that every member of every 12-step group in the world understands the phrase “rigorous honesty,” but the all-male hierarchy of the Catholic Church, despite teaching The Ten Commandments, doesn’t get it?
Further, my progressive/inclusive church has not threatened our marriage and I have not been “recruited” into a “lifestyle.”
The endlessly repeated “traditional” talking points simply don’t line up with reality, any more than they line up with the teachings of Jesus.
Post a Comment