From Anne Foreman
Sir, - Like Robin Lunn (Letters,
22 June), I have been a long-time supporter of legislation to
enable women to be bishops, with adequate provision for those
unable to accept this development. Mr Lunn asks that we remember
the long, long journey of the legislation, and go for a final vote
rather than support a procedural motion for an adjournment of the
debate.
But that journey resulted in draft
legislation that 42 out of 44 dioceses supported sending on for a
final-approval debate. Though the intention of the House of Bishops
was for their amendments to enable the legislation to "command a
wider degree of support and welcome", regrettably it has become
clear that they have only muddied the waters.
An adjournment would afford the
opportunity for the House of Bishops to reconsider, hopefully to
withdraw Clause 5.1c, and then bring the Measure back to Synod. We
can cope with this small delay.
Whatever the costs involved in an
extra Synod meeting, they pale into insignificance when set against
the costs involved, both financial and emotional, if, after 20-odd
years of prayerful, careful, and painstaking work, the Synod ends
up debating these additional words that have caused such
consternation.
ANNE FOREMAN
Exeter General Synod member
5 St Leonards Road
Exeter EX2 4LA
From the Revd Mark Bennet
Sir, - I would like to thank Mavis Jacobs for her letter (22
June), which enables me to clarify exactly what is at stake in
the legislation allowing women to become bishops.
I would love to work alongside her to
present the good news of Jesus Christ to our nation, and for me or
my colleagues to be invited to celebrate the eucharist or to preach
in the church where she worships. But, as an advocate of the
ordination and consecration of women, I do not experience a
universally warm welcome, or get any invitations to parishes where
my views are thought to be wrong.
As a male priest ordained at the hands
of a male bishop, I exercise a ministry that is declared valid in
Canon A4 and Article XXVI, but, far from seeking to engage with
that ministry, the Bishops' amendments to the women-bishops
legislation would enable people such as your correspondent to
erect further legal barriers against our working together.
MARK BENNET
The Rectory, 17 Church Gate
Thatcham
Berks RG19 3PN
From Canon John Goodchild
Sir, - Mavis Jacobs is right to be concerned about valid
orders, but there is no evidence from the New Testament or early
years of the Church of an apostolic succession where special powers
were transmitted within a priestly caste.
The first succession lists were
concerned with the public teaching of recognised leaders to combat
Gnosticism. It is certain, however, that the God who produced
Christ with the Virgin Mary can make Christ present again through
the ministry of women who were given the Holy Spirit when
baptised.
JOHN GOODCHILD
39 St Michaels Road
Liverpool L17 7AN