‘Church now looks absurd’ –Archbishop’

Apr 4 2008 by Tryst Williams, Western Mail

THE Archbishop of Wales today launched a stinging attack on the Church in Wales’ decision not to ordain women bishops.

In an uncompromising first-person piece for the Western Mail, Dr Barry Morgan says rejection of the bill by just three votes – which would have allowed the creation of female bishops in Wales for the first time – had made the church “look absurd in the eyes of the world”.

He voiced fears the decision could turn young people away from Christianity because of its perceived attitude to women.

“We may well have put off people, especially from the younger generation, from exploring the riches of the Christian faith simply because of the odd way they think we treat women,” he writes.

Wednesday’s decision – which would have required a two-thirds majority to be passed – stands in stark contrast to other parts of the world, where the Anglican Church has passed legislation allowing women to be ordained as bishops.