Women Bishops and Thoughts from the Laity

David Smart in the Ebbsfleet Extra for February writes some thougths from the perspective of a layman on the present debate of women bishops and its effects on the laity as well as the clergy. I place it here for any laity who would like to consider his thoughts for comment and or reflection.

It feels like a Phoney War. A crucial battle was fought in the General Synod last July. Fought and lost. Yet nothing seems to have changed. And we are promised more of the same: another Synod debate in February, the revision stage, consultation in the dioceses, more Synod votes. What will emerge from all this and what decisions individual consciences will make is unknowable, but it is certain that eventually the Church of England will have women bishops. It is also certain now that there will be a Parting of the Ways among Anglican Catholics.

The possibility had existed of a solution that would keep all (or almost all) of us in the Church of England, but the Synod vote effectively removed that possibility. The proposals that the Manchester Group published in late December are not inspiring. They are brutal, and Byzantine in their complexity. But even if they were set aside and provisions of the utmost generosity granted, it is too late: the genie is out of the bottle.

In the long run the choices that have to be made are the same for both clergy and laity, and though differing in detail they will be equally costly for both. There are no longer any easy answers, only painful ones. I do, however, have a sense that at the moment the clergy have a clearer sense of what has happened and its consequences.

We laity, though fully aware of the gravity of the situation, are perhaps slower in coming to terms with it. (This is a generalisation of course – there are many exceptions.) This is only natural. The impact is more immediate for the clergy: frighteningly soon they will have to make decisions that affect their life and livelihood, the roof over their heads. Such a difference of perspective, even if it is only temporary, is problematic, and places demands on our charity, understanding, and patience, at a time when we are already under stress and when there will be no let up in the external pressures on us. But, unlike other aspects of the present situation it is our problem, and noone else’s: one that we can chose (with grace) to manage – or choose not to manage.

A similar, but greater, challenge lies ahead as the Parting of the Ways draws closer. As Bishop Andrew has said, there are good, honourable reasons for going or staying. The difficulty will be for us to work together to secure the best future, not just for ourselves, but for our brethren who take the other road. Again, this is our problem. External circumstances may make it easier or harder, but it is our choice how we deal with it. When we part, will we part as friends? And will the distance between us be only as little as it has to be and not an inch more? If this proves so, history may judge that – her buildings, liturgy and theology notwithstanding – herein was the true glory of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England.

David Smart
Vice Chairman of the Lay Council