The Church of England is on the brink of one of the biggest shake-ups in its history - the Chron investigates
The Archdeacon of Northampton the Venerable Christine Allsopp.
“To me it is clear that God doesn’t discriminate between men and woman,” says the Rev Canon Margaret Johnson, rector of the Emmanuel group of churches in Northampton, when discussing why she thinks women should be allowed to become bishops.
Last week The Peterborough Diocesan Synod, which covers Northamptonshire, voted in favour of the General Synod’s draft scheme to facilitate the ordination of women, like all 19 dioceses asked so far.
But clear as it may be to some that this is the direction the Church of England should take, to others it still remains clear that this is not a position that females should hold.
With the vote being 68 to 24 with nine abstentions, some in the church still hold reservations about the move, which will be one of the biggest shake-ups in the establishment since women were allowed to become priests.
Because of the continued fractions over the decision, part of the motion has also stated that those “unable on theological grounds to accept the ministry of women bishops” should also be accommodated for.
Rt Rev Donald Allister, Bishop of Peterborough, said: “There are some people who say we should just do it and not make any provisions for those who disagree, but I think that is wrong.
“It is important to hold people together and not make them feel they are being driven away.
“There’s going to be something called a code of practice and we have agreed in the diocese that there should be women bishops but the national decision will be made at the General Synod next July.
“It should eventually say that it is up to each one to produce its own code scheme to fit in with the general rules of the code of practice.
“I couldn’t say exactly what it will be offering, but in general terms it means a parish or priest who doesn’t want a women bishop will be found a male bishop.
“It will not be an immediate issue in this diocese because we have just appointed a suffragan bishop who is male and I have only been here 18 months.
“What we have to do is set the scheme up.
“I will take part in ordaining women and I am in favour but if it means those who have problems with it moving out of the church, then I am not in favour of it at any cost.
“It is a source of potential division, and it is a difficult balancing act.”
We took a look at some of the different opinions held across Northamptonshire ...
A positive change
The Rev Canon Margaret Johnson, said: “I think all the church is now trying to make provision for those that are upset, but the overwhelming majority are delighted.
“We are going so tenderly forward but we also need to celebrate, we are finally moving forward and in my lifetime I might finally see a woman ordained as a Bishop.
“I think the church needs to catch-up it’s been a long time and there’s no theological reason why women can’t become bishops.
“I think in most places where women minister, their ministry is welcome and their parishes are delighted to have them.
“When women were first made priests many people said they would leave the church and go to Rome, but there were not as many as said they would.
“We all have a tendency to think of verses from the Bible that reflect our own position.
“But over and over again there are statements and stories about women and Jesus, and how he subverted the prevailing theology and said but God says.
“You don’t have the luxury of being embedded in your own position, whether for or against, you have to constantly wrestle with the
Bible and think what might God be trying to say.”
The Ven Christine Allsopp, archdeacon of Northampton, said: “I believe that women have gifts that can be used more fully in the service of the church.
“There are different theological positions on this and different interpretations of the Bible, but my reading is that women are able to take on roles of leadership and that Jesus valued women.
“The first witness to the resurrection was a woman; she went and told the men.
“There are no theological objections as far as the Church of England’s position applies but we acknowledge that some have a different opinion.
“It’s always a concern when people say they will leave the church and we have all tried to make compromises in order to keep people but then there are people who don’t find the church a comfortable place because they don’t see us as welcoming women.”
She does however have some concerns about how the changes to legislation, which could see some people requesting to have a bishop is neither female or ordains women, will affect the role of the bishop.
“I feel that any further concessions would damage and change the role of the bishop.
“Making one bishop share the authority of the diocese with another or being required to allow another bishop to have jurisdiction would cause immense difficulties because we swear allegiance to the bishop, and we act on their behalf.
“We can’t have that separation we need to hold together in spite of our differences.”
Opposed but want to stay
The Rev Canon Roger Bellamy, vicar of Kings Sutton and Newbottle with Charleton, rural dean of Brackley, explained why he and others don’t think women should be bishops.
“It is going to happen now and we need to feel that we can continue to feel part of the Church of England.
“The legislation allows for a parish to ask to ask for a different bishop - it is not just a woman bishop we don’t want, we don’t want to be under someone who ordains women.
“The Church of England says we have a valued place since the ordination of women, but there is concern about what might happen in the future.
“We are opposed because we think it is inscriptional. We think that because Jesus called men to be apostles, that the men should continue in this role.
“We feel it’s a change to the historic ministry of the church.
“It is also in keeping with the Catholic church, and as the search for Christian unity is gaining momentum it seems a set back.
“The other argument, which I don’t hold, is the evangelical idea that thinks women ought not to be in a position of authority.”
Veronica Heald is a parishioner of the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Kettering, but she fears that she will become “effectively unchurched,” by the move.
“What we are voting on is not the principle of women bishops, it was the principle to allow it to go forward,” she said.
“The problem is that the legislation doesn’t provide sufficient protection for those who are theologically opposed to women’s ordination.
“The fact that women will be ordained has been worked out by the church, but we want to stay within the church and those who are theologically opposed are provided for and that our parish receives sacramental insurance.
“What I am asking for is what both archbishops have asked for, that the church provide for those who have decided they are theologically opposed.”
Concerns about the legislation:
The Rev Canon David Bird, vicar of Northampton St Giles, said: “The draft legislation that’s before the Synod now doesn’t offer the security that those who are opposed are looking for.
“Whereas I don’t agree with their views, I think we have to make sure they feel they have a valued place.
“The legislation means that women could be ordained as a bishop in a diocese that doesn’t want a woman bishop. They don’t have legislation in place to make sure they have that provision made by a code of conduct.
“Within the Peterborough Diocese I certainly trust Bishop Donald to treat people fairly and well but if that is not the case everywhere, I’m concerned there won’t be an open process.
“I take a pastoral view. I would like to care for the people I don’t agree with, but I do value as people in the church.
“If the gospel has told us anything it is about finding a way through even when you disagree.”
Andrew Presland, aged 43, from Rushden, a member of the Peterborough Diocesan Synod and lay chair of Higham Deanery said: “I have no strong opinions on women bishops - but it seems illogical not to have women bishops when you have women priests.
“But the new legislation doesn’t go far enough, for some having a male bishop is a matter of conscience and we have to find a way to keep them in the fold.
“I think the legislation permitting women bishops must make provision for these people.
“In my judgement the draft measure which had been referred for consideration by the dioceses does not make such provision.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Rider who died after being thrown from horse in Northamptonshire village named
- Troubled Northampton pub branded ‘beyond redemption’ has licence revoked
- Pervert filmed women in toilets of Northampton office block with mobile phone
- Violent sex offender who kept victim for hours after rape is jailed
- Man trapped in Northampton home during gas leak as cracks appear across ceiling and walls
- Campaigners pledge to fight housing association’s proposal to control Northampton’s council homes
- Term-time holiday ban is welcomed by heads of Northampton schools
- Northampton’s controversial ‘Let Yourself Grow’ slogan could be replaced
- Pervert filmed women in toilets of Northampton office block with mobile phone
- Residents of retirement homes petition against plans for student flats in Northampton town centre
- Car crash victim calls for tougher punishments and backs campaign to halt cuts to traffic police
- Rider who died after being thrown from horse in Northamptonshire village named
- Four-storey replacement for Fishmarket gallery should open in September
- Only early birds catch Leonardo at the National Gallery
- Cobblers FanStand: Progress is clear despite defeat
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.