Delay female bishop law, urges Church of England cleric

Published on 02/07/2012 02:21

One of the Church of England’s most prominent female clerics has urged a delay in legislation to introduce women bishops amid protests from campaigners over late changes to the plans.

The Rev Lucy Winkett, rector of St James’s Piccadilly, London, who is tipped to become one of the first women bishops in the Church of England, called for an adjournment of a debate to give final approval for legislation introducing women bishops, due to be held in eight days’ time at the General Synod of the Church of England in York.

The cleric is among a group of senior women clergy who wrote to members of the General Synod objecting to an amendment added to the legislation earlier this year by the Church of England bishops aimed at ensuring male bishops selected to minister to parishes who oppose women bishops have views “consistent with the theological convictions” of objectors.

Pro-women campaigners claimed the move would enshrine in law a class of “pedigree” bishop who has not been “tainted” by ordaining women as priests. The Rev Winkett said that she and other signatories of the letter were asking for an adjournment of the debate to give final approval to the legislation.