Vatican says approval of Anglican women bishops presents ‘further obstacle’ to dialogue

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 8

Vatican City, Jul 8, 2008 / 10:19 am (CNA).- The Church of England voted on Monday evening to move ahead with the ordination of women as bishops. The outcome of the vote prompted the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity to say that the decision is a “break with apostolic tradition” and a “further obstacle” to any efforts at dialogue between the two churches.

Following six hours of heated debate by the General Synod at the University of York, the majority of the bishops, clergy and laity voting blocks cast their ballots in favor of allowing women to be ordained to the episcopate. Bishops voted to approve ordaining women bishops by 28 to 12, clergy assented by 124 to 44 and lay people by 111 to 68.

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity reacted to the decision, saying, "We have regretfully learned the news of the Church of England vote that paves the way for the introduction of legislation which will lead to the ordaining of women to the episcopacy.”

Listing its objections to the admittance of women, the council said, "The Catholic position on the issue has been clearly expressed by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Such a decision signifies a break with the apostolic tradition maintained by all of the Churches since the first millennium and is, therefore, a further obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.”

Although the Vatican has maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Church of England, it said that, "This decision will have consequences on the future of dialogue, which had up until now borne fruit, as Cardinal Kasper clearly explained when on June 5, 2006 he spoke to all of the bishops of the Church of England at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Other signs of discord were also seen within the Anglican Communion as 1,300 clergy threatened to quit if the church decided to ordain women bishops and several British newspapers reported that some Anglican bishops were in talks with Rome to discuss joining the Catholic Church.

Some aspects of the Anglican’s General Synod vote also irked more traditional members who were calling for the creation of new dioceses for parishes and clergy opposed to women bishops.

Instead of erecting new dioceses, the Synod voted to approve the crafting of a statutory national code of practice to accommodate parishes and clergy who object to women bishops on grounds of conscience.

Comments: 8

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Dilip
USA 07/10/2008 11:45 AM EST

As a non-Christian, I do not understand how some Anglicans can present an argument against the ordination of women and homosexuals, based on "tradition" and a need to adhere to it. The Church of England was, from all I have read,largely founded on a break WITH tradition, so that the desires of a selfish, head strong king could be fulfilled. The Catholic Church in England was not "reformed". Church property was confiscated, monasteries destroyed, religious orders disbanded, clergy executed, and ancient customs disallowed. In light of this is it any wonder that the Anglican Church, born of this "reformation", is still "reforming" itself and redefining what it means to be authentic to tradition and the meaning of the Gospels?

Published by: Gianna
St.Louis MO,US 07/09/2008 08:57 PM EST

Let us remember that
The Roman Catholic Church is the only Church the respects women for who we are-women!We are not men!Women are to be protected by men.In the garden of Eden when Eve was being tempted by the devil-where was Adam? I thought he was the protector of the Garden!Where was he??Sleeping???Sounds to me that Adam wasn't doing his job! Eve was wrong-yes. So was Adam ! Jesus respected women for who we are! With the adulterous women He first confronts the men saying "He who has not sin throw the first stone" then he confronts her by saying "daughter you are forgiven never sin again". He picked 12 men to lead His Church on earth not 6 men and 6 women,if He had by all means then yes but He did not! While on the Cross Christ made sure that Mary was protected and cared for by giving her to John.
So of course since Christ held women in such a light-so should His Church! Allowing women to be priests and bishops is not protecting or showing respect to our role as women in God's Church.
Pax~

Published by: P. Chaim Schenck
Washington, DC USA 07/09/2008 02:30 PM EST

By voting to abandon the long established Tradition of setting men in the role of spiritual father in the household of faith, the Church of England has repudiated fatherhood as the role model for all men, the ideal for the family and the necessary element in the healthy formation of human personalities. Abandonment, divorce and widowhood are realities of a fallen and broken world. But they shouldn’t be enshrined in the Household of God.

Published by: lukas
singapore 07/09/2008 02:20 AM EST

I hope Rome will take extra precautions if they were to take in Anglican bishops into their fold. Who knows what liberal views they would implement on Catholic laity if they became Catholic bishops and priests?

Published by: Fr. Greg Comella
USA 07/08/2008 05:41 PM EST

Rate: Regular

As a catholic priest of 33 years, I urge the Anglican church to value more their stance of justice and equality (ordaining women bishops) over dialoging with the Roman churchBetter for the Anglican church to be annoucing the Realm of God than reconciling with a Roamn church that discriminates against women.

Published by: Peter
UK 07/08/2008 03:13 PM EST

It's a pity the Vatican cannot be more forthcoming. Unity for abandoning women's ordination seems a good deal and responds to Christ's prayer. Too radical? Reminds me of His life.

Published by: Paul F
Dearborn, MI 07/08/2008 01:54 PM EST

I don't recall Christ saying to his disciples, "whatever the majority of the bishops, clergy and laity voting blocks cast their ballots in favor of binding will be bound in heaven..."

Published by: Jos Strengholt
Egypt 07/08/2008 11:49 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

As an Anglican priest I am deeply disturbed by this decision by the CofE, exactly because it is disastrous for our ecumenical relationships, both with the historic church and with the church worldwide. The CofE may think that it is doing 'justice', but it have allowed their own view to take precedence over the catholic church, and that I find unacceptable.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com