10 reasons why IC supports the simplest possible provision for women as bishops

1 "Jesus Christ when he was lifted up did not say "I draw some people to myself.  He said "I draw all, all, ALL!”” (Archbishop Tutu).    As Christians, we believe that all people have been made in the image of God. We believe that God loves each and every person with an infinite, never-ending, unconditional love. As members of the body of Christ, we acknowledge each person's unique and valuable contribution as we seek together to build up that body in love.

2 The Church of England, if it is to welcome everyone,  must be able to welcome the ministry of women in all parts of its life.   We believe that, in order to strengthen the Gospel's proclamation of justice to the world, and for the greater glory of God, the Church's own common life must be justly ordered. To that end, we call on our Church to live out the promise of the Gospel  and in the ordering of our common life to open the ministries of deacon, priest and bishop to those so called to serve by God, regardless of their gender,  ethnicity or sexual orientation.

3 As members of the Anglican Communion, we celebrate the gift of our diversity and are committed to being a broad Church that accepts and welcomes difference.    The secular world understands better than the church how important it is not to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender.  We are all made in the image of God and the church should be celebrating that, but instead it is seen as out of step with the world it tries to serve.

4 The Church of England agreed that there was no fundamental objection to women's ordination as long ago as 1975.  Women were ordained priests in 1994,  and now it is time to complete the process of welcoming the ministry of women.   There  is the risk of serious damage to its life and work if there is further delay. 

5 The House of Bishops will benefit from having men and women as members and will have a greater number of people to choose from for new appointments.   Leadership of the church will better reflect the membership, and the gifts and talents of women will be used as well as those of men.

6 The historic generosity of Anglicanism will be more clearly seen in the life of the church.    We cannot allow the fact that other historic churches do not ordain women to affect the way in which the Anglican Communion is coming to understand the Gospel for the 21st century.    We are presently out of step with other Provincial Churches in the Anglican Communion.

7 We support the simplest possible statutory provision because the church would be failing in its mission if it passed legislation which treats women in a different way to how it treats men - for instance, if special arrangements were enshrined in legislation to create "no-go areas” for women bishops and those who accept their ministry.

8 A code of practice has been seen to work in other Provinces of the Communion.  It would enable proper provision for those who cannot accept the ministry of women and would have legal force as a "regulations” attached to the measure.

9 The existing limitations to the ministry of women (the "Act of Synod”)  have led to separate structures within the church,  which is unhealthy for its life and mission.

10 IC believes that God has called the Church of England at this time towards the full inclusion of women in the church.   This is God's initiative;  we are responding.