Twenty years ago when Flying Bishops were first appointed the Archbishop ensured that there was a full turnout of Bishops to endorse this new ministry, and show it had the support of the whole of the Church of England. Apparently there were several present at the consecration of Philip North in York Minster. Yet it seems only three (Chichester the sole diocesan bishop, Beverley the only Flying Bishop, and Pontefract, another Suffragan bishop) were permitted (or willing?) to lay on hands. So where were the other traditionalist bishops? Or are there so few left? It's just a question - maybe someone can answer, but it seemed so markedly different when Libby Lane was all but lost under a welter of episcopal hands only a few days earlier. Bishop Philip has made encouraging noises for those still unpersuaded by women's ordination. His voice sounds a bit lonely and it would be especially helpful to know how and whether the Bishops of the Society of SS Wilfred and Hilda mean to support him.
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When you got done there were any to whom you could object.
ReplyDeleteI asked if it was possible not to have the Archbishop ordain me - and the answer was that it was not!
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I left the Church of England was the dawning realisation that its basic theological premise is contextual pragmatism, and so what is possible or not possible changes with the circumstances. The example you give exemplifies this perfectly, for you it was deemed not possible for the Archbishop not to ordain you and for Philip North it was not possible for the Archbishop not to stand aside.
DeleteCould it be that simply having the canonical Three dispensed with an invidious distinction between those who Did and those who Didn't?
ReplyDeleteAh yes, of course - very charitable of you to suggest it.
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