*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

A hope of flourishing

by
29 November 2013

A KEY word in the latest round of discussions about women bishops has been "flourish". This is not the magician's flourish, with which a live, fluffy deal has been produced from a seemingly empty hat, though it might well be. It is the word that has given more hope and reassurance to the opponents of women priests than any other. It came from the working group set up under the Rt Revd Nigel Stock after the legislation failed in November 2012: "Since those within the Church of England who, on grounds of theological conviction, are unable to receive the ministry of women bishops or priests will continue to be within the spectrum of teaching and tradition of the Anglican Communion, the Church of England will remain committed to enabling them to flourish within its life and structures." The word "remain" has helped, too.

Lying behind the remarkable concord within the General Synod last week was a reawakened respect for difference. When the extremes in the debate were antagonising each other, none could admit that their opponents had any justification for their views, much to the frustration of those who sought some sort of accommodation. Traditionalists were stuck in the past, conservatives were misogynistic, and liberals were thoughtlessly conforming to the mood of the times. After November last year, an element of realism returned to the debate. A representative working party was set up (admittedly not the first), and Synod members were invited to participate in various listening processes. What emerged was an appreciation of what would be lost if the "spectrum" of Anglicanism were narrowed.

Anglicanism is not a homogenised brand of Christianity, restricted and controlled by a hierarchy or a set of rules. Instead, it is a bold experiment in toleration, where its adherents are not expected to agree but merely live with each other. It is a modest ambition, except that centuries of experience have shown that, by living together, people allow themselves to be influenced and enriched by those around them. The breadth of views and customs within the Anglican Church is a source of pride and intense irritation.

The new concord about women bishops is still fresh from the packet. It is natural that the two sides will proceed with caution, encouraged as much by the promise of checks and balances as by assuring words. Traditionalists and conservatives remain doubtful about future preferment, and how well a woman bishop might represent them; supporters of women bishops wonder how welcome their ministry will be in certain parishes. But a vision has opened up that victory in this matter need not involve another's defeat.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Letters to the editor

Letters for publication should be sent to letters@churchtimes.co.uk.

Letters should be exclusive to the Church Times, and include a full postal address. Your name and address will appear below your letter unless requested otherwise.

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)