Tuesday, 8 July 2008
More monstrous regiments...
Of course, what many people fail to realise is that the Church of England Synod had already voted to ordain lady-bishops. Yesterday's vote in York merely confirmed the decision and laid down certain conditions for the ordination of distaff-side. And I, for one, find myself wholly in agreement with that decision. I must also express my heartfelt support for the Synod's decision to reject the absurdity of so-called 'super bishops' (male, obviously) who - if created - would have pandered to the whims of those opposed to the perfectly reasonable proposal to raise a qualified and experienced lady to the ranks of the episcopate. Good Lord, we have enough problems already, what with flying bishops, suffragan bishops, assistant bishops, new bishops, old bishops, bishops with a seat in the House of Lords and bishops without so much as a stool in the House of Fraser. I realise that I am in a minority here in the cathedral choir; dear Lord above, we have our own battles looming with the female of the species in the form of a soon-to-be created girls' choir. But my own misgivings on the subject of lady vicars were allayed some years ago by sight of the lovely Lucy Winkett of St Paul's Cathedral sobbing gently at the flagrant misogyny of a fellow Canon. Which among us - without being possessed of a heart of stone - could fail to be moved by such a sight? Who could be blind to the attraction of having one so young and beautiful attending to one's sacerdotal ministrations? And who could possibly resist the temptation to let one's mind wander, just a little, whilst gazing up as the dear young ladies mount the pulpit to deliver their Sunday sermons? Not me, that's for sure! I just hope the rest of them are as good-looking.
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17 comments:
I'm laying bets on my friend, Vicky the Vicar (yes, really), being the first woman Bishop. We always said she would do it, even before the vote!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I was looking at your view profile page and really liked what you wrote here:
"I neither have the time nor the money to waste watching over-hyped cinematographic rubbish!"
I am going to explore more of your website...good heavens I feel as though I've wandered into a Barbara Pym novel!!
Either that, or a twentieth-century (but only just!) Trollope!
I will say that over here, the American "Episcopal" church has had it's share of political problems with the inclusion of woman and gay bishops. Stories of churches leaving the Anglican Communion are commonplace here. The Roman church has it's share of issues for sure, but one thing they've been able to succesfully avoid is a full on war between its left and right.
I was going to make some smartass remark about Lady Bishops and bishoprics, but that would be so childish, I decided I'd best not.
x
I don't get involved in politics and religion but I applaud you for having the good sense to be in favour of female vicars. Equality in all things.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment. :)
I understand your reluctance to address the issue directly CB1, but as I am utterly a-religious perhaps you could answer me a question?
Is the standard of frocked totty up to much?
By the way, you may be happy to hear that Barry Teeth has promised me his latest tour de force by the weekend!
I was quite taken with the idea of superbishops, though. Wearing their underpants over their mitres.
The women I trained with for the ministry back in the early 80's were far more capable that some of the men in the College. It's about time, is my general reaction.
And as for the Vatican being "disappointed" at the decision - hell, they don't even recognise us male clergy as being valid priests, so having female bishops won't make the slightest difference. And anyway, has no-one told the Vatican that we stopped listening to Rome several centuries ago?
er, kitty, you did kinda make that smart ass comment anyway. but someone needed to ;-)
The Church of England seems to do war rather better than peace I fear, Mr Monocle.
Thank you for desisting, Kitty.
Absolutely, akelamalu.
Yes, Mr Sox, it most certainly is! (And I look forward to the latest offering from Mr Teeth).
Many of their mitres already look as if they've put their underpants over the top of them, Mr Musgrove.
Mr Ramblings,I believe that even Catholics stopped listening to Rome some time ago.
Whatever do you mean, Mr Globus?
I remember fondly the cartoon in (I think) Private Eye or Punch at the time of the first women being ordained into the Anglican church, which was of two choirboys, and one says to the other "at least it'll make a change being interfered with by a woman!".
Happy days!
I also remember singing at the service in our Scottish Episcopal cathedral when the first women were ordained there, and smiling rebelliously at the knowledge that I had a "Vicars need Balls" badge under my surplice. Ah the things we did in our youth!
Indeed, Mr lay-clerk, indeed. And so do Bishops.
I feel a sudden need to speak up for women in choirs. Indeed, I was complimented just t'other day by the bass soloist for sounding just like (and I quote) "a fruity counter-tenor" in Cedric Thorpe Davie's Come Holy Ghost, the Maker. CB1, I blushed with pride.
This Pym-speak is infectious ...
Don't get me wrong Chris, I have no problem with women in choirs and never have done. Every choir in which I've sung has had women in it, and I have been romantically involved with several, and married more than one! Not at the same time though, obviously.
My comment related to ladies of the ordained nature. And my opinion on that has changed over the years anyway!
My word, Mr Lay-Clerk. Steady on! I am delighted to make your aquaintance, Chris. I, too, am in favour of choral equality (but I suspect that I will be in the minority when our own, dear girls' choir makes its debut later in the year).
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