Angela Berner's-Wilson Talks About This Saturday's Vote on Women Bishops!
The Reverend Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson, who is the Chaplain and Ecumenical Team Leader at the University of Bath's Chaplaincy Centre, gives an interview on this Saturday's Bath and Wells Synod vote on women in the Episcopate - or becoming Bishops!
Find out why this is an important vote - not just for Bath - What the implications of it are, and why she feels that women should be empowered to become Bishops.
Read her Q & A!
(PICTURES: ANGELA BERNERS-WILSON)
What are the implications of women being included in the Episcopate?
Providing the majority of Dioceses in the C of E vote in favour, then legislation to pave the way to have women Bishops will come before the General Synod next year.
Already enough Dioceses have voted in favour, but it is our turn this coming Saturday.
Implications - a matter of justice and fairness. Some clergy will go to Rome as a result. A lot of women and men will be very happy. It is illogical to have women Priests and not allow a few of them to go on to be Bishops if they are called by God to that role and have the necessary skills.
Why is this vote so relevant and important?
We would have much more credibility in the rest of the world if we did not behave in such a sexist way. But it is not about conforming to secular society - it is a matter of justice and responding to where we feel God is leading the Church of England. The Anglican Communion already has women Bishops in many other provinces for example; the USA, Canada and New Zealand.
The Lutheran Church in Europe has women Bishops and the Methodist church in the USA
What are your feelings on this issue?
I believe that it is only right and fair to have this glass/cement ceiling lifted. We have now had women priests in England since 1994, and are the only profession where women are barred from the 'top job', although this is not how we see the post - it is a God given calling.
Are you looking forward to the outcome of this vote?
That depends entirely on which way it goes, and what 'following motions' may end up being passed for those not in favour.
Has this long been a contentious or debated issue?
Yes. Women were first asking for Ordination back in the 1920's. What is presently contentious is the provision to be made for those who can not, in all conscience, accept a woman Bishop. Provisions will be made for a woman Diocesan to always invite a male Bishop to come and minister to those congregations that won't accept a woman. Some on the opposite side feel that 'their' male Bishop should have powers that would mean the rightful female Diocesan would be undermined, and this would be wrong. Women Bishops must be appointed on the same terms as men, and not seen as second class.
What are your hopes and dreams for the role of women in the future in this context?
That we could take our place alongside our brother Bishops, that the media would stop thinking that all the Church is interested in is sex and gender issues.
Once this is settled we can get on with the real business of mission and ministry.