God, the world and us
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Category Archives: Gender
Women priests: are liberals being inconsistent?
No, sex and women priests are not the same thing. In the continuing debate over the Bishop of Sheffield, liberals are often accused of saying one thing about women priests and the opposite about same-sex partnerships. I am grateful to … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Ethics, Gender, Theology
Tagged churches, liberalism, liberals, same-sex relationships, women priests
3 Comments
Are liberals illiberal about women priests?
Exclusive inclusives! Intolerant tolerance! When Philip North announced his withdrawal from the post of Bishop of Sheffield, it was open season for his supporters to accuse liberals of being illiberal. This post is a defence of liberalism, inclusiveness and tolerance.
Posted in Churches, Gender, Theology
Tagged Bishops, inclusiveness, liberalism, toleration, women priests
14 Comments
Sheffield’s women and Christian sacraments
This is the third of three blog posts responding to the appointment of Philip North, an opponent of women priests, as Bishop of Sheffield. In the first I described Martyn Percy’s argument that the appointment should not proceed as long … Continue reading
Sheffield’s women and church fudge
This is the second of three blog posts responding to the appointment of Philip North, an opponent of women priests, as Bishop of Sheffield. In the first I described Martyn Percy’s argument that the appointment should not proceed as long … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Gender
Tagged 5 Guiding Principles, Philip North, Sheffield, women priests
2 Comments
Sheffield’s women: who should tolerate what?
Outcry all round. Philip North, the suffragan Bishop of Burnley who opposes the ordination of women, is to become the next Bishop of Sheffield. This is the first of three posts on the subject. It is a diocesan post, so … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Gender, Theology
Tagged Bishops, ordination, Philip North, women priests
16 Comments
God’s genitalia
A controversial article in the Daily Telegraph tells us that churches are increasingly referring to God as ‘she’ rather than ‘he’. Does it matter? If so, why? The article responds to the latest of the Westminster Faith Debates, last Wednesday’s … Continue reading
‘Burnley bishops’ will be different
Widespread horror has greeted the news of the bizarre arrangements for consecrating the new bishop of Burnley. On Wednesday I put up a post describing the arrangements agreed between the candidate, Philip North, who opposes the ordination of women, and … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Gender, Theology
Tagged Archbishop of York, Bishop of Burnley, John Sentamu, women bishops, women priests
2 Comments
A woman’s touch and spiritual danger
It gets more and more bizarre. Now that women can be bishops in the Church of England, opponents of women priests – who have existed for 20 years – are finding new hurdles to throw in their way. The Revd … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Gender, Theology
Tagged Archbishop of York, Bishop of Burnley, Forward in Faith, John Sentamu, Philip North
1 Comment
Change and danger
Once again the Church of England’s General Synod agonises over women bishops. Clearly we aren’t just debating facts and figures. Strong gut feelings abound on both sides. For some the lack of gender equality is not only an injustice which … Continue reading
Does public opinion matter after all?
This is a response to the Church of England’s House of Bishops reportmaking new proposals for women bishops. I am pleased with its main proposal but I have two points to make. One can wait till later. The other responds … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Gender, Theology
Tagged Church of England, public opinion, women bishops
Comments Off on Does public opinion matter after all?