This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7489043.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
'Disagree in love' plea to Synod Synod set to debate women bishops
(about 12 hours later)
The Church of England's General Synod has been urged to be a model of how Christians can "disagree in love" as it debates plans for women bishops. The governing body of the Church of England, the General Synod, is due to discuss the controversial appointment of women bishops.
The Rev Prebendary Kay Garlick, at the opening meeting in York, acknowledged the outcome would inevitably bring "hurt" to some members. The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, has urged the Church of England Synod to resolve its dispute over how to ordain women as bishops.
But she said the Synod should present a model of how Christians who disagree can respect and care for each other. Bishop McCulloch said the Synod must not allow a stalemate to develop.
Some 1,300 clergy have threatened to leave the Church over the issue. His comments come amid signs of an alliance among traditionalist priests wanting to answer to male bishops only.
Ms Garlick, from Much Birch, Herefordshire, told the meeting: "The business committee [of the General Synod] have striven... to allow Synod to rise to the challenge of presenting to those who follow our progress a model of how Christians can disagree in love, respect one another's sincerity and care for one another as we try to discern God's will for our Church." The Rev Prebendary Kay Garlick has called on the Synod to be a model of how Christians can "disagree in love" as it debates plans for women bishops.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, will lead a debate on Saturday on a report outlining the options open to the Church of England in proceeding with women bishops. The Synod has already agreed in principle to ordain women as bishops. Some 1,300 clergy have threatened to leave the Church over the issue.
Consciences Unbroken chain
Traditionalists want the legal right to opt out of the supervision of a woman bishop, and into the care of a male alternative. Traditionalists from the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church want the right to opt out of the jurisdiction of a women into special dioceses headed by male bishops, or at least to have guaranteed access to male bishops. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY There's no reason why a woman can't do the same job as a man. Then we will see the Church split as it inevitably will with all these changes M, Cambridge class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5066&edition=2&ttl=20080705052604">Send us your comments
The Synod has already agreed in principle to ordain women as bishops. BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says the Synod faces an awkward decision about how to treat traditionalists whose religious consciences will not allow them to serve under a women bishop.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says it faces an awkward decision about how to treat traditionalists whose religious consciences will not allow them to serve under a women bishop. He says the Anglo-Catholic Anglicans argue that Jesus chose only men to be his immediate 12 apostles, the men who were given leadership of the early Church.
He says Anglo-Catholic Anglicans argue that Jesus chose only men to be his immediate 12 apostles, the men who were given leadership of the early Church.
They point out that an unbroken chain of male bishops has led the Church since then.They point out that an unbroken chain of male bishops has led the Church since then.
God bless Africa, especially the people of Zimbabwe. Guide her people and guide her leaders and give her peace in Christ our Lord Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu
Our correspondent says they believe that a man ordained by a woman might not be properly ordained, and might not in reality be a priest.Our correspondent says they believe that a man ordained by a woman might not be properly ordained, and might not in reality be a priest.
Such a suggestion is strongly rejected by women priests and many others in the Church.Such a suggestion is strongly rejected by women priests and many others in the Church.
However, the traditionalists could still get their own way, our correspondent says.
They have formed an alliance with evangelicals who have their own biblical reasons - the belief that men should have authority over women - for demanding the imposition of special conditions before women are ordained as bishops.
Conversion debate
Speaking at the opening meeting in York, Ms Garlick, from Much Birch, Herefordshire, acknowledged the outcome of the debate over women bishops would inevitably bring "hurt" to some members.
But she said the Synod should present a model of how Christians who disagree can respect and care for each other.
Meanwhile, a traditionalist Synod member has accused officials of suppressing his call for an explicit policy of converting people of other faiths, including Muslims.Meanwhile, a traditionalist Synod member has accused officials of suppressing his call for an explicit policy of converting people of other faiths, including Muslims.
Paul Eddy's motion was backed by about a quarter of the Synod, but officials say the agenda was too crowded.Paul Eddy's motion was backed by about a quarter of the Synod, but officials say the agenda was too crowded.
The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans - the international alliance of traditionalist Anglicans formed in Jerusalem last week - has made the duty to evangelise other faiths one of its key policies.The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans - the international alliance of traditionalist Anglicans formed in Jerusalem last week - has made the duty to evangelise other faiths one of its key policies.
Thanksgiving
The General Synod will also hear a presidential address on Saturday from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.The General Synod will also hear a presidential address on Saturday from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.
He opened the meeting with a series of prayers including thanksgiving for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service.
He also prayed for the Church throughout the world, and for Zimbabwe.
Ugandan-born Dr Sentamu, who cut up his clerical dog collar in protest at the regime of President Robert Mugabe, said: "We pray for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. God bless Africa, especially the people of Zimbabwe. Guide her people and guide her leaders and give her peace in Christ our Lord."