Women bishops and valid sacraments
The Church of England’s current proposal to permit women bishops raises once again
the question of theological objections. When the ordination of women to the priesthood
was discussed in the 1970s and 1980s, theological claims were made on both sides.
This time there has been more emphasis on seeking a system which satisfies as many
as possible; it is as though nobody any longer expects resolution of the theological
disagreements. Opponents of women priests continue to believe their objections have
not been met; supporters still find it difficult to understand them.
This article focuses on a central concern of opponents, the conditions for the validity
of the sacraments, expressed for example in Simon Killwick’s article in the Church
Times in July 2010.1 My aim is to undermine this concern by describing the historical
origins and theological weaknesses... Full text
Women bishops and catholicity
As the Church of England considers the case for women bishops, one of the issues
raised by opponents is catholicity. The various accounts differ in details but the
basic objection is well known: as other parts of the universal Christian Church do
not have women priests and bishops, for the Church of England to introduce them is
to set us at odds with them so that we cease to be part of the universal Church.
This article aims to clarify the claims being made. What is the universal Church?
In what sense does the Church of England belong to it? How, if at all, does the universal
Church make or allow changes? What stops women priests and bishops being one of the
changes? Full text
