Archbishop Calls for Women Bishops
Episcopal News Service. December 12, 1995 [95-1333M]
(EC) Speaking at a recent Melbourne diocesan synod, the Most Rev. Dr. Keith Rayner, archbishop of Melbourne and primate of Australia, called for women to be consecrated as bishops. "It is a controversial issue, both within this church and ecumenically," Rayner said. "Nevertheless I have to say that the ordination of women to the episcopate is no more than a logical consequence of ordination of women to the priesthood. Now that we have women whose experience in priestly ministry makes them eligible for consideration, the General Synod should take the opportunity to open every order of ministry to women as soon as possible," he said. In the diocese of Melbourne there are 67 women priests and deacons, more than any other diocese in Australia.