Seven links to today’s reports and comment: Reaction in parliament – C of E resembles a sect; Parliamentary sketch – C of E to debate shortage of women in Cameron’s cabinet?; implications for gay marriage debate
1. – Women bishops vote: Church of England ‘resembles sect’
BBC News – The Church of England’s decision to reject the introduction of women bishops makes it look like “a sect”, a senior Church representative has said. Conservative MP Sir Tony Baldry, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, said he was frustrated by the …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20443718
2. – The Church of England
The Economist – Two of the three houses of the Church of England’s governing synod, representing bishops and clergy, overwhelmingly voted for it, together with a large majority of the House of Laity. But it was not large enough, and on November 20th a measure that …
http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21567101-women-are-rebuffed-episcopate-now-thou-shalt-not
3. – Sketch: The Church receives orders from a higher power
Telegraph.co.uk – This morning the Church of England met for an urgent debate about the shortage of women in David Cameron’s Cabinet. “The Prime Minister needs to get with the programme,” sighed a bishop, noting that of the 32 people round the Cabinet table, only five …
4. – Women bishops farce has crippled church’s fight against gay marriage, MPs told
Telegraph.co.uk – “If the Church of England thinks that parliament is going to listen to them on moral issues such as same-sex marriage with considerable attention when the Church of England seems to be so out of step on others issues of concern to Parliament then they …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9696407/Women-bishops-farce-has-crippled-churchs-fight-against-gay-marriage-MPs-told.html
5. – Take note Church of England – first female bishop ordained in Africa
New Statesman – But as the controversial decision was picked apart, a small story about the first female African Anglican bishop went mostly unnoticed. Ellinah Wamukoya, 61, was consecrated on Saturday four days before the CofE voted against allowing women to become …
http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2012/11/take-note-church-england-first-female-bishop-ordained-africa
6. – Church of England will have women bishops – new Anglican head
Reuters India – The next archbishop of Canterbury is confident he will consecrate a female bishop, he said on Thursday, two days after the Church of England voted against allowing women to become bishops. Bishops and clergy on Tuesday in the …
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/22/britain-religion-women-idINDEE8AL0BL20121122
7. – In defence of the CofE’s House of Laity
Spectator – The secularists now lining up to threaten dire action against the Church of England now include Alistair Carmichael, the chief whip of the LibDems (that party pillar of Anglicanism), who suggests that bishops should be removed from the House of Lords …
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/melanie-mcdonagh/2012/11/in-defence-of-the-cofes-house-of-laity/