| Bishop John's Call to Prayer re Ordination of Women as Bishops | 8th Jul 2008 | Download | Email to a Friend |
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)
There will be much joy and celebration amongst very many people following last night's vote regarding the ordination of women as bishops. There will also, of course, be profound pain, sadness and a sense of rejection amongst many who, unable to accept the ordination of women, feel that their integrity and place within the Church of England has not been honoured or safeguarded by proper provision.
Coventry Diocese, unlike, apparently, one or two others, enjoys extraordinarily good relations with Forward in Faith and, not least, between our women clergy and Forward in Faith clergy, representatives of whom meet regularly for discussion and prayer. At the consecration of Bishop Christopher on Thursday, it was a leading member of Forward in Faith, Ian O'Hara, and Elizabeth Dyke, one of our female clergy who, on behalf of the Diocese, presented Christopher to the Archbishop for consecration. Indeed last year, Elizabeth and Ian nominated each other for membership of the Crown Nominations Commission. This is a wonderful witness to the God who in Christ embraces us in our diversity and calls us to share in His ministry of reconciliation.
It may seem and I hope it is an obvious thing to say, that God is working so evidently and powerfully in and through both our women clergy and our Forward in Faith clergy. It is my earnest hope and prayer that we can continue to pray for each other, to honour one another and to work creatively together for the coming of God's Kingdom recognising Christ in Christians of different perspectives and convictions. As we rejoice with those who rejoice, please pray especially for those who feel bruised or let down by the decision, and let us renew our efforts to work together for God's Kingdom.
The Right Reverend John Stroyan
The Bishop of Warwick
Warwick House
139 Kenilworth Road
Coventry
CV4 7AP
Tel: 024 7641 2627
Fax: 024 7641 5254