Women bishops will make Church ‘fairer’

May 6 2008 Denise Robertson, Western Mail

WOMEN And The Church (WATCH) believes the creation of women bishops is “highly unlikely” within the next five years.

Two women, one for and one against, debated the matter on Women’s Hour last week.

I like and respect some women priests, I feel neither of those emotions for others. Which is exactly how I feel towards male clergy of my acquaintance. I see no difference in the ability of men and women to minister to their flock and therefore no logical reason for debarring one sex or the other from higher office.

When pushed to supply a reason for her opposition even the proponent of a ban faltered. She came up with “what I was brought up to believe” and the old excuses but they sounded even more threadbare than usual.

I agree with Professor Anthony Berry, a member of General Synod, from Chester Diocese, who says that to claim his male human identity and capabilities “are in all cases superior to the sexualised identity and capabilities of all women is profoundly offensive to my understanding of human sexuality, identities and capabilities and also to my relations with both men and women”. Or, to put it simply, it ain’t fair.

The woman advocating female advancement was asked if the prospect of a schism in the Church would prevent her from pressing for change. She waffled and said she didn’t think it would happen. I think that’s a cop out.

Why don’t Churches of whatever denomination realise that we yearn for them to stand up for what they believe to be right, whether or not it is expedient to do so and whether or not it is what we believe? They are entitled to their opinion as I am entitled to mine. What they are not entitled to, if they hope to give leadership, is a seat on the fence.

I have previously called for a stand on the question of homosexuality, an admission that all of us are God’s children and entitled to equal grace. Now I long to see an acceptance of gender equality, even though I do not expect the advent of women bishops to make the Church better, only fairer.