by Margaret Rodgers

Women bishops appear to have come just a little closer for the Anglican Church of Australia when the General Synod Working Party released its report last month. This will be a major topic for debate at the General Synod when it meets in Fremantle in October next year.

While it is highly unlikely that Sydney Synod will adopt any General Synod legislation enabling the election of women bishops in the foreseeable future, other dioceses are committed to them being part of the Anglican Church of Australia. Shortly after the report was released, the Melbourne Age published a story listing five Melbourne women priests who were contenders for being Australia’s first woman bishop.

The report, ‘Episcopal Ministry and Women’, can be found on the General Synod website at www.anglican.org.au.

Three main themes are considered in the report – ‘Episcopal ministry: what do we mean?’, ‘Women as bishops: if so, how?’ and, ‘Living together: comm-union and diversity’.

Draft legislation, a revised form of the Canon considered by the General Synod in 2001, is also being circulated. It retains “the obligation for the bishops of a diocese to put in place and maintain arrangements for alternative episcopal oversight” for parishes that do not wish to receive the ministry of any woman bishop.
Committee member Dr Muriel Porter calls this ‘a principled compromise’.

Bishop Peter Tasker and Mrs Ann Young were Sydney members of the Working Group.

“The Working Group has attempted to identify what are the key areas for discussion as the church seeks to come to grips with this issue, ” Bishop Tasker said. “Most agree that the Anglican Church in Australia is very diverse.  The question is asked – can we find a way that allows us to move forward in substantial difference on this issue, but still in relationship? What are the limits of diversity that we can sustain?

“The present proposal seeks to put upon the bishops of a diocese the obligation to put in place and maintain arrangements for alternate episcopal oversight for those who cannot accept a Woman Bishop. However, what-ever is agreed today can be put aside tomorrow. For many on both sides the issues are held with conviction and passion. To find a way through this minefield is a big ask.”

The material is now released for discussion and comment. Those seeking information or wishing to comment should contact the Bishop of Gippsland, Convenor of the Working Group, at bishop@gippsanglican.org.au” />