'Every voice' should be heard in bishop row
1:00am Wednesday 9th July 2008
Bradford’s diverse communities will be able to learn from the Church of England’s determination to overcome its split over women bishops, says its leader.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said as the city works towards cohesion, the Church can set a good example.
He said “every voice” had to be heard in the row over female bishops and the Church had to strive for an outcome that would “exclude no one”.
The Archbishop was speaking at the start of a two-day visit to the diocese just after the Church of England’s ruling General Synod voted to consecrate women as bishops and approved a code of practice aimed at reassuring opponents.
As his train pulled into Saltaire station in time for an hour-long meeting with outreach vicars at the aptly-named Vicar’s café and bistro – jointly run by the Reverends Andy Bowerman and Jimmy Hinton – the Telegraph & Argus asked those there if they thought the Synod’s decision was on the right track.
The Rev Bowerman, who doubles up his restaurateur role by also taking God to the terraces as chaplain, life coach and pitch announcer at Bradford City, said: “We have some really good senior women here in the diocese and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing them going on to be bishops.”
City Centre Mission priest and peace activist the Reverend Chris Howson said: “It’s just wonderful news. Women bishops – we’re pleased. It’s a historic decision.”
While vicar of St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley, the Revered Phillip Gray said he felt his more traditional parishioners would be feeling disappointed at the Synod’s decision.
“There will be many people at St Margaret’s who will be very disappointed – not at the decision about women bishops as such but by the decision the Synod will not make any provision for them to remain in the Church of England so it’s going to create some difficulties for me about how I can help them and encourage them to stay within the fold.”
On Monday the Synod rejected legal suggestions that would help keep opposers to women bishops on board, such as setting up separate dioceses.
Earlier the Archbishop had met with Craven farmers and clergy at Skipton Castle before calling into Saltaire on the way to Bradford Cathedral accompanied by his wife Jane where a memorial service was held for his father-in-law and former Bishop of Bradford Geoffrey Paul last night.
Today the Archbishop will be going back to class by taking part in a religious studies lesson with Year 10 pupils at Immanuel College in Thackley before meeting Bradford’s Lord Mayor Councillor Howard Middleton for a civic luncheon.
Then he will be introduced to faith leaders and community workers at Thornbury Community Centre.