Crucial women bishops debate to be held in Leeds

Issued 27.09.11                 For immediate use

The latest stage in the debate over women bishops takes place at a meeting next weekend of the Synod (or ‘parliament’) of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds being held at the David Young Community Academy in Leeds.

Lay and clergy church leaders from across the diocese which stretches from south Leeds to the borders with County Durham will be meeting  next Saturday October 1^st  to decide whether to approve the draft ‘Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure’ which has been forwarded to every diocese in the country for approval by General Synod.  Only if the majority of Diocesan Synods approve the draft legislation, can the measure enabling women to become bishops return to the General Synod, probably in February 2012, for final drafting.

The ‘Final Approval’ stage could be reached in July 2012. However traditionalists within the Diocesan Synod have also tabled a ‘follow-on’ motion asking Synod members to approve a call for amendments to the legislation giving legal provision for alternative bishops to have oversight of parishes which are unable to accept the ministry of women priests and bishops.

The meeting of Diocesan Synod is open to the press and public, and among other topics under discussion will be the future of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the proposals for a ‘Covenant’ to bind the Communion together.

Ends

NB The Diocesan Synod of Ripon and Leeds Diocese will meet at 9.30am at the David Young Community Academy, Bishops Way, Leeds LS14 6NU

Press are welcome to cover the event.  The meeting begins at 9.30am and the debate on women bishops is scheduled to begin at 11.15am. This and the ‘follow-on’ motion will be debated between 11.15 am and 12.45pm.

Issued by John Carter (Rev)
Press and Communications Officer, Diocese of Ripon and Leeds