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In Britain, Parliament May Retaliate If Church Refuses To Ordain Women Bishops

By Howard M. Friedman

In England, legislative changes to permit the ordination of women as bishops in the Church of England is slowly proceeding.  In July, the Church's General Synod approved the proposal and referred it to diocesan synods. If a majority of them approve the measure, it returns to the General Synod where it will require a two-thirds majority in each house (laity and clergy and bishops) to pass. This should occur in about 18 months. Then the measure must be approved by the British Parliament. (Background.) However the London Telegraph yesterday reported that opponents of the change think their chances of defeating the measure when it comes back to the General Synod are increasing.  To counter this possibility, a cross-party group of members of Parliament today will call on Parliament to remove the Church of England's exemption from British equality laws if the measure to ordain women bishops is not approved by the Church. (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 31, 2011 (boomark / email).