Episcopal Church Offers Hope to Opponents of Women Clergy

It has been 12 years since the Episcopal Church opened the door to female priests and bishops, but a recently released committee report offers a glimmer of hope to those who oppose the priesthood of women.

The report, prepared by Presiding Bishop Edmund L. Browning’s Committee on Dialogue on Women in the Episcopate, offers two resolutions to the General Convention that will meet in July, both of which aim to moderate the sometimes acrimonious debate that continues over the ordination of women.

One of the resolutions reminds all church members that persons should not be discriminated against for either objecting to or agreeing with the official church position on women in the priesthood. The other authorizes appointment of visiting bishops--called “Episcopal Visitors”--to assist parishes that oppose the idea of female bishops but are located in dioceses that might have either a female bishop or a male bishop who supports the concept.

Although the Episcopal Church authorized the consecration of female bishops 12 years ago, no female has yet been made a bishop. Many church officials, including some who endorse the concept, believe that it would be inappropriate to consecrate a female bishop before Anglicans from around the world have a chance to discuss the matter this summer at the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops in Canterbury, England.

The report says the recommendations are designed not only to prevent “further deterioration of the ‘impaired communion’ ” that exists in the Episcopal Church but also to prevent divisions within the wider Anglican communion as well.