Lambeth Acts on Women Bishops
Episcopal News Service. August 11, 1988 [88174]
CANTERBURY, England (DPS, Aug. 11) -- The Lambeth Conference has overwhelmingly approved a resolution urging the 27 Provinces of the Anglican Communion to respect one another's decisions regarding women's ordination and consecration as bishops.
Without taking a position on women bishops, the resolution commits the Conference to "respect the decision and attitudes of other Provinces whether in favor or against the ordination and consecration of women to the episcopate, maintaining the highest possible degree of communion with Provinces which differ."
The measure passed during an Aug. 1 plenary session by 423 to 28, with 19 bishops abstaining.
In a related action, the Conference rejected a resolution urging Provinces to refrain from ordaining women as bishops. The vote was 187 to 277.
The resolution approved was introduced by Bishop John Neill of Tuam (Ireland) and was submitted from the Conference's Mission and Ministry section.
Among the provisions of the resolution are:
- The appointment by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie, of a commission to: examine relationships between Provinces of the Anglican Communion; ensure continuing ecumenical consultations; and monitor the process of consultation within the Communion and offer pastoral guidelines.
- The maintenance of courtesy and communications among bishops so that open dialogue can continue.
- Provision, in provinces where reconciliation on women's issues is needed, of pastoral services for clergy and congregations differing with the bishop.
Archbishop Runcie spoke for the resolution during the debate saying: "I will do everything in my power to maintain the interdependence and communion of our Anglican family of churches. I pledge myself and my office to this task whatever the difficulties."
He added that the commission called for by the resolution must work with "urgency and priority" and should start meeting well before the end of 1988.
Whatever the course of women's ordination to the episcopate, the resolution states, "the Church needs to exercise sensitivity, patience, and pastoral care towards all concerned."
In speaking to the Conference against the resolution asking provinces to "refrain" from consecrating a woman as bishop, Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning said that the request failed to recognize provincial autonomy, denied sensitivity to the proponents of the ordination of women, and would represent a step backward in the Communion's discussion of this issue.
Presently, five Provinces have approved the ordination of women to the priesthood. No woman has yet been elected and consecrated as bishop.