Episcopal Solutions.

It's happened in the U.S., and the same looks as if it's going to happen over here in Blighty. The Anglican Church seems to think that women can be Bishops. God says they can't, so that makes a ghastly mess of what Anglicanism means.

Well, if we're really honest, then Anglicanism has never been all that neat and tidy which is the sign of a sincerity in dealings with the untidiness of our human nature, and the sign of the tattered edge that comes from tearing itself from the rest of the Church Catholic.

In July, General Synod will meet and, despite massive opposition, "declare" women eligible for the episcopate. So what exists for those who follow the Tradition properly? What provision can be made for objectors to this heresy to receive validly ordained Episcopal oversight, and remain in communion with those who subscribe to this heresy?

It isn't at all clear how Forward in Faith remain in Communion with the whole C of E and yet cannot accept the fact that there is no Communion presided over by a female "priest". I suppose the fact that women "priests" can be avoided means that some semblance of remaining in the same Church exists. I believe that the Jewish folk are able to hold contradiction in one hand, and this skill ought to be learned by Christians.

So what do we do when we have women "bishops"? A third province would be wonderful - the Apostolic Succession would remain, the orders of all priests, bishops and deacons would be guaranteed- but it is out of the question as far as the C of E goes. This would be another denomination in all but name.

As far as I see, the only solution would be for female "bishops" to "ordain" only
women "priests". This would absolutely guarantee the purity of the succession. I guess that would be seen as unfair, but what else is there?

My little ditty below looks as if it will apply to the C of E too soon.