TEN days after the women-bishops vote, the reactions show no
signs of diminishing in number or intensity, even though they
contain predictably few new ideas. What has been unexpected is the
degree of astonishment expressed by the general public. This was
partly at the C of E's inability to get its act together, despite
years of debate, but largely, it must be said, at the suggestion
that there might be something about women that disqualifies them
from a particular post. However convinced traditionalists and
conservative Evangelicals are of their cause, there is little sign
of their having persuaded others.
In the light of this adverse publicity, it would be good if the
Church could come up with a solution sooner rather than later. Many
of the reactions we have heard, however, focus on the 2015 General
Synod elections, which will, we are told, be all about women
bishops. There is a surprising lapse of memory here, given that the
2010 elections were contested precisely on these grounds. The
secretary-general is reported to have warned the Archbishops'
Council that the Church faces a constitutional crisis. Internally,
at least, we have what might be termed the opposite of a crisis: a
reliance on the mechanisms of the Church's constitution to redress
what people see as an imbalance in representation. This is not a
bad approach: as in secular politics, elections have the benefit of
capturing the electorate's attention, encouraging interested
parties to discuss issues openly and cogently. But there is a
better one, that acknowledges that the Church does, indeed, face a
crisis in its relations with the public and with Parliament. The
luxury of ignoring public opinion is not an option for an
Established Church.
It is too soon to know what a solution might look like; but we
can describe how the solvers might appear. First, the
traditionalists and conservative Evangelicals need to think
seriously about backing the sort of provision that they might
realistically expect in the present climate. Second, the supporters
of women bishops ought not to be satisfied with engineering a few
more votes here or there. The Church has been proud of the way it
accommodates minorities. The challenge is to provoke from onlookers
the words overheard by Tertullian: "Look, how they love one
another!" For this to happen, theological conversation is essential
(as once attempted by the Rochester group), covering such issues as
sacramental assurance and biblical views of gender, and simple
justice, with an awareness of the social and cultural influences at
play. Too many discussions of late have failed to rise above the
level of politics; so there is little wonder that hearts have
hardened. Theology need not be slow, although it does require a
depth of engagement that we have failed to see in recent months.
The worst thing that could happen now is for the opposing sides to
retire to lick their wounds, vowing to fight harder in the next
elections.