Godstone
Deanery Synod
Report on
the meeting held at
The
Our speaker on this subject was the Revd Dr Jane
Steen who used to be Bishop Tom’s Chaplain and is now a Canon Theologian and
also organises the continuing ministerial training in the diocese. A “Canon Theologian” is a Canon of the
Cathedral who keeps up with theological issues and she certainly demonstrated a
depth of knowledge on this subject that could have kept us going for several
meetings!
Chaired by the Bishop of Rochester, this report had
been requested by the General Synod, and considers episcopacy in general and
possible pastoral arrangements for those opposed to women bishops.
Episcopacy
The English church has always been an episcopal
church and by the fourth century the threefold order of bishops, priests and
deacons had emerged. At the Reformation
there was a deliberate decision to retain this. The bishop was to be the chief minister of the
local church; an instrument of unity to keep the presbyters (priests) together;
guardian of the apostolic tradition; minister of ordination; leader in mission:
the missionary face of the church.
Today we still see the role of bishop as being in
continuity with the New Testament. The “Top
down” idea sees bishops as being of a higher order with powers never held by
priests, whereas “Bottom up” is the idea of priests becoming bishops by
elevation. The superiority of the role
lies only in the power of ordination.
Possible Pastoral
Arrangements for those opposed to women bishops
The possibilities for dealing with the situation
arising should the decision go ahead to consecrate women as bishops were
considered. These range from making no
provision at all, through to the most radical idea of a “Third (or Free)
Province” in addition to the two existing provinces of
Comment
Jane was critical of the Report in that it allowed
financial implications to form part of the argument. She also felt that it is sometimes
appropriate just to accept something we do not like, an unpopular view today. In the past, decisions would be made at a
high level and filtered down, but today we feel we must all be involved in any
decision. If a church cannot decide on
whom to confer orders, perhaps it is not a proper church at all!
Currently, under the “Flying Bishop” system, a parish
can refuse to have a woman as the incumbent, a woman to celebrate communion and
a bishop who ordains women. However,
this soon becomes even more complicated if women bishops enter the arena, as
the “ordination” of a man performed by a woman may not be recognised as
valid.
Southwark Diocesan Synod passed a motion in favour of
women bishops in November 2003, so will consider only the options for those
unable to accept this principle when it meets on 6 July. A substantive debate
will take place in the General Synod in November. We were encouraged to continue to think and
pray about this complex subject.
Business
Meeting
The new Deanery Synod Standing Committee was elected
and is as follows: Bob Charlton (Dormansland) Lay Chair; Janet Harman (Hurst
Green) Secretary; Kenneth Bush (Hurst Green) Treasurer; clergy representatives:
Alan Mayer (Oxted and
Tandridge) and Roger Watts (Godstone United Benefice); lay representatives: Rosie Yeldham (Outwood) and Catharina Hickson
(Oxted).
A vacancy left by the resignation of Michael Harman
for a Godstone Deanery Synod representative on the Diocesan Synod, is to be
taken by Catharina Hickson, St Mary’s, Oxted.
Colin Gale, presently at
“Ambassadors” for St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy are
sought from parishes under a new system to create interest in the
hospital. Incumbents have all the
details on this.
“Deanery
Exchange” and “Faith in the Countryside” leaflets have been distributed to all
parishes. Please take copies.
Forthcoming Events
Next Deanery Synod Meeting,
15 November, Dormansland: Canon Michael Hart will speak on the Mission
Shaped Church Report. The Standing Committee will meet on 13 September 2005.