Canterbury Names Commission on Women in Episcopate
Episcopal News Service. September 15, 1988 [88185]
NEW YORK (DPS, Sept. 15) -- The Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, has announced the establishment of the Commission on Communion and Women in the Episcopate, which was requested by the 1988 Lambeth Conference, and he has named the members of the Commission. The Commission has been asked to begin work immediately. Their first meeting will be held in London in November.
The task of the Commission will be to examine the relations between the Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the light of the possible ordination of women to the episcopate. The Commission was appointed by the Archbishop in consultation with the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
Members of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on the Ordination of Women to the Episcopate are:
- The Most Rev. Robert H. A. Eames (Chairman), Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland;
- The Most Rev. Joseph A. Adetiloye, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria and Bishop of Lagos;
- The Most Rev. Peter F. Carnley, Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of the Province of Western Australia;
- The Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer, Bishop of Bethlehem (U.S.A.), ViceChairman of the Dogmatic and Pastoral Concerns Section at the Lambeth Conference;
- The Rt. Rev. David M. Hope, Bishop of Wakefield (England);
- The Rev. Dr. E. James Reed, Director of the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto, Anglican Church of Canada;
- Dr. Mary E. Tanner, Theological Secretary, Board for Mission and Unity of the Church of England, Member of ARCIC, and ViceModerator of the Faith and Order Commission of the WCC.
Commission secretaries are:
- The Rev. Canon Christopher Hill, Archbishop of Canterbury's Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs, and the Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali, Coordinator of Studies for the Lambeth Conference 1988.
The Lambeth Conference resolution calls for the 27 autonomous Anglican provinces to respect decisions by other provinces on the ordaining and consecrating of women "without such respect necessarily indicating acceptance of the principles involved, maintaining the highest possible degree of Communion with the Provinces which differ."
The resolution passed by a vote of 423 for, 28 against, and 19 abstaining.
It also requests the Archbishop, in consultation with the Primates, to appoint a commission:
| a) | to provide for an examination of the relationships between Provinces of the Anglican Communion and ensure that the process of reception includes continuing consultation with other Churches as well; |
| b) | to monitor and encourage the process of consultation within the Communion and offer further pastoral guidelines. |
In a press conference at the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh on September 12, Archbishop Eames said: "We will not only be involved in examining guidelines for the autonomous provinces if and when a woman is consecrated as bishop, but we will need to give a great deal of thought to the effect of such an event on the relationship of one province to another and to what this will mean in our relations to other churches....Much more will be involved than the question of a woman bishop....Communion within Anglicanism involves questions of authority, consultation, and understanding....The Lambeth Conference indicated a great desire for communion between Anglican provinces to be maintained and improved....I hope that the work of this international commission will be regarded by the world church as a genuine attempt to build on bonds of affection -- something which will strengthen the ties between the autonomous provinces."
September 12, 1988
I am pleased that the Archbishop of Canterbury acted so quickly in bringing the commission into being. Their task is vital, and not uncomplicated, so a November beginning is timely.
I recommended the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer, because I know that he will bring to that role both his considerable theological insights and his understanding of the gifts of ordained women.
It is appropriate that a woman be part of the membership, and Mary Tanner's thoughtful presentation at Lambeth is an indication of the contribution she can make. Further, Dr. Runcie intends that ordained women serve as consultants; I believe they will be an invaluable part of the mix.
I hope that the commission will meet at some point in a province having ordained women. Being in that context would add a critical dimension to their deliberations. I certainly would welcome such a gathering in this province.
Edmond L. Browning