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'Equality' issue of women bishops 'Equality' issue of women bishops
(about 4 hours later)
Women should be allowed to become bishops simply because of principles of equality and justice, the Church in Wales' governing body has been told.Women should be allowed to become bishops simply because of principles of equality and justice, the Church in Wales' governing body has been told.
The church is debating the issue following clear backing from Archbishop Dr Barry Morgan.The church is debating the issue following clear backing from Archbishop Dr Barry Morgan.
Canon Richard Pain argued for the move, saying women already gave good leadership in other areas of society.Canon Richard Pain argued for the move, saying women already gave good leadership in other areas of society.
But lay member Patricia Davies warned many would find women becoming bishops difficult as a matter of conscience.But lay member Patricia Davies warned many would find women becoming bishops difficult as a matter of conscience.
The two-day conference at the University of Wales, Swansea is discussing the ordination of women bishops now but a final vote is not expected before next April.The two-day conference at the University of Wales, Swansea is discussing the ordination of women bishops now but a final vote is not expected before next April.
The 200 delegates have already heard Dr Morgan, a supporter of women priests who were first admitted to the church 10 years ago, say in his presidential address that allowing women's election as bishops was now the "only logical step".The 200 delegates have already heard Dr Morgan, a supporter of women priests who were first admitted to the church 10 years ago, say in his presidential address that allowing women's election as bishops was now the "only logical step".
We have got to face the fact that this is an issue that won't go away. Madeleine BradleyWe have got to face the fact that this is an issue that won't go away. Madeleine Bradley
Opening Thursday's debate, Canon Pain, from the diocese of Monmouth, told the conference that women should be allowed to be made bishops because of principles of equality and justice.Opening Thursday's debate, Canon Pain, from the diocese of Monmouth, told the conference that women should be allowed to be made bishops because of principles of equality and justice.
"Women already give qualitative leadership throughout society," he said."Women already give qualitative leadership throughout society," he said.
Canon Pain said it was 10 years since women were ordained as priests in the Church in Wales and it was now time to take another step forward.Canon Pain said it was 10 years since women were ordained as priests in the Church in Wales and it was now time to take another step forward.
"The muddle of a subset of priests does not make for good ecclesiastical practice," he said. "The muddle of a subset of priests does not make for good ecclesiastical practice.
"Many find it extraordinary that the church does not offer equal opportunities in its mission". "Many find it extraordinary that the church does not offer equal opportunities in its mission."
Archbishop: Women bishops are 'logical step'Archbishop: Women bishops are 'logical step'
But Patricia Davies, a lay member of the church from Llandaff in Cardiff, said that many would find the move difficult as a matter of conscience.But Patricia Davies, a lay member of the church from Llandaff in Cardiff, said that many would find the move difficult as a matter of conscience.
She said that it would increase the division between the Church in Wales and other Christian churches.She said that it would increase the division between the Church in Wales and other Christian churches.
"The ordination of women to the priesthood has already caused significant difficulties for some of us. "The ordination of women to the priesthood has already caused significant difficulties for some of us," she said.
"I fully believe that any jobs in the church that can be done by a lay person should be open to men and women alike.""I fully believe that any jobs in the church that can be done by a lay person should be open to men and women alike."
But Ms Davies said there were many who could not "in conscience accept the sacramental ministry of a woman bishop".But Ms Davies said there were many who could not "in conscience accept the sacramental ministry of a woman bishop".
'Ordinary guy''Ordinary guy'
Both sides found support among the meeting
Paul Murray told the conference that as an "ordinary guy in the pews" he feared the move could drive some people away from the church.Paul Murray told the conference that as an "ordinary guy in the pews" he feared the move could drive some people away from the church.
"There are many lay people who struggle with the concept of women priests," he said."There are many lay people who struggle with the concept of women priests," he said.
"If a member of the lay community cannot accept a woman vicar they can move church but if you can't accept a woman bishop, what happens then?"."If a member of the lay community cannot accept a woman vicar they can move church but if you can't accept a woman bishop, what happens then?".
Fellow delegate Madeleine Bradley said: "We have got to face the fact that this is an issue that won't go away. I don't think any of my female colleagues want to see positive discrimination".Fellow delegate Madeleine Bradley said: "We have got to face the fact that this is an issue that won't go away. I don't think any of my female colleagues want to see positive discrimination".
But she said women were underrepresented in many of the church's decision- making and governing bodies and that that had to be addressed. But she said women were under-represented in many of the church's decision-making and governing bodies and that had to be addressed.