Anglicans in Australia Fail to Approve Women as Priests
Episcopal News Service. September 15, 1989 [89149]
In a third attempt in recent years, the Anglican Church of Australia, meeting at General Synod last August, failed to adopt a canon to permit the ordination of women as priests, prompting speculation that some dioceses might ordain women without the permission of the General Synod.
Passage of the measure required a 75 percent majority in each of the three houses meeting at the synod. Results showed that the House of Bishops required 15 votes for passage and received 14; the clergy needed 68 and received 52; and the laity needed 69 and received 51.
In previous action, the synod had passed, by a show of hands, two separate resolutions that pointed to the continuing tension within the church over the issue of women's ordination and offering proof that the issue is far from settled.
A clear majority of the synod had accepted a resolution affirming the ancient authority of a diocesan bishop to ordain "canonically fit" deacons to the priesthood -- a resolution that would include women. A second successful resolution recognized the possibility that some diocesan bishops might proceed to ordain women priests. This motion sought to affirm "continuing relationship as members of Christ within the Anglican Church of Australia," but it acknowledged that relationships both within and between dioceses might be tested and communion diminished if women were ordained as priests. The motion called upon all Anglicans "to demonstrate the life of Christ within our national church as we seek to pursue our unity in Christ despite this possible new difference between us."
While some dioceses, notably Melbourne and Perth, may proceed to ordain women on their own authority, such an action would almost certainly be tested by the Appellate Tribunal, the Australian Church's highest court.
Meantime, supporters of women's ordination to the priesthood may try again at the next General Synod of the church in four years.