Draft letter to General Synod Representatives

 Dear ………….

The Parochial Church Council of St. N in N, met last week and considered a report that  “at a meeting last week, bishops voted to bring in women bishops without any such provision for traditionalists.”  (Daily Telegraph)

As a parish that has maintained a traditional stance, we were encouraged by the promises and provisions made when women were first ordained which allowed traditionalists to remain within the Church of England and have their views respected.  We acknowledge that our view is not the majority view of the Church of England, but we welcomed the legal protection provided by General Synod that proved to us that our church wished to be inclusive.  We have not wanted to be exclusive; indeed we welcome all to worship within our church ~ whilst providing a spiritual home for those who in all conscience cannot accept women’s ordination to the priesthood.

We believe that the General Synod ought to ensure that, in the advent of any proposals to ordain women as Bishops, there also ought to be legal protection and safeguards for those traditionalists within our church.  As our representative on the General Synod we urge you to ensure that the promises made years ago continue to be honoured, now and in the future.

We believe that the possible Code of Practice does not provide clear legal safeguards. The solution with the clearest ecclesial integrity is new dioceses: anything less betrays the 1993/4 promises, the Lambeth resolution, and, most importantly, is a form of rejection to traditionalist members of our church.

There is no doubt that the worldwide Anglican church as a whole is in a period of discernment regarding the ordination of women.  During this period it is essential that we all pray for the working of the Holy Spirit in guiding the church.  We also believe it is only fair to ensure that there are legal safeguards for all within the church, and we urge you to support appropriate legal protection for the traditionalists within our church.  Without such safeguards, members of our church will feel driven away and rejected by the church that has nourished them since baptism.

Yours sincerely,

PCC Secretary