A special review committee of the Anglican Church in the UK proposes that women bishops have some powers curtailed when they face opposition from members of their congregation. No women have been ordained bishop yet, and the first woman bishop is not expected until 2014. The Revision Committee has tried to anticipate problems where a woman bishop is opposed by traditionalists, who oppose women priests, homosexual bishops and same-sex marriage. The rule change, which must be written into UK law, is a compromise for an already deeply divided Anglican Communion which counts 77 million members worldwide. It would allow a male colleague to perform the duties instead.

Some see the proposed change as a move towards a two-tier church, in which women can never become the equals of males. Others see the very possibility of women being ordained bishops as against church teaching and the bible. The Anglican church is divided on these issues, primarily between more liberal churches in the West and traditionalist churches in Africa, whose members represent almost half of all Anglicans. Guardian, Reuters

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.