The Church of England is to keep its promise and appoint a conservative evangelical bishop who takes a complementarian view of men’s and women’s ministry.
In a press statement it was announced that ‘the Dioceses Commission unanimously agreed with a proposal received from the Archbishop of Canterbury to fill the vacant see of Maidstone. The see, which had been vacant since 2009, had been identified by the archbishop as one that should be filled by a bishop who takes a conservative evangelical view on headship.’
Conservative position
The statement continued: ‘In agreeing with the proposal to fill the see the Commission was conscious of the needs of the national church for a member of the College of Bishops to be able to act as an advocate for those who hold a conservative position on headship’.
And it went on: ‘It made its decision on the understanding that the bishop would foster vocations from those taking this position; that he would undertake episcopal ministry (with the agreement of the relevant diocesan bishop) in dioceses in both provinces where PCCs have passed the requisite resolution under the House of Bishops’ declaration; and that he would be available to act (again by invitation) as an assistant bishop in a number of dioceses’.
Important step
In response, leaders of the Anglican evangelical Church Society said the move was ‘an important step in realising that commitment and in rebuilding trust in the family of the Church. We are particularly encouraged by the recognition that the evangelical comple-mentarian perspective should be represented in the College of Bishops after several years without a spokesman. We wish to stress that this is but a first step: for flourishing, rather than mere toleration and tokenism, more surely needs to be done’.
They continued: ‘Despite ... concerns, we wish sincerely to thank the Archbishop of Canterbury and his colleagues for keeping his promise, and for seeking to serve us in accordance with our conscience in this matter.’
The Revd Rod Thomas, chairman of the group Reform, said: ‘It is very good news. Once acted upon, it will provide reassurance both for conservative evangelicals and for those who have been keen to see women bishops’.
Accusation of divisiveness
However, the campaign group WATCH (Women and the Church) said: ‘We believe that to choose a bishop based on one specific view, held by only a small group, can only serve to be divisive’.
In other news, Justin Welby told The Times newspaper that he accepted that the worldwide Anglican Communion might fracture. ‘I think, realistically, we’ve got to say that despite all efforts there is a possibility that we will not hold together, or not hold together for a while’, he said. ‘I could see circumstances in which there could be people moving apart and then coming back together, depending on what else happens.’ He added: ‘I’m absolutely not saying “unity at all costs” – quite the reverse. Truth and integrity matter hugely’.
Moving beyond church politics, it should most certainly be recorded that the archbishop spoke out boldly against food waste in the UK – especially given the tragic increase in the number of people reliant on food banks.
