Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Anglican bishop debate rumbles on

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7495701.stm

[BBC News] 8 Jul 2008--Anglicans angry over the vote in favour of women bishops are talking rather than walking.

The threat of a walk-out remains but a sudden exodus by hundreds of traditionalists has yet to materialise.

On the margins of the General Synod in York, members huddled over lukewarm cups of tea and crumbly croissants to discuss the way forward.

"This debate is a bit like a Wimbledon final - two sides slugging it out against each other, long into the night, with neither prepared to give any ground," said one exasperated liberal.

"The difference is that at Wimbledon, the competitors are prepared to accept, gracefully, the final result." Ouch.

'Hurt and pain'

The issue has caused a great deal of hurt and pain, on both sides - liberals (pro-women bishops) and traditionalists (anti) alike.

"It feels like a bereavement," said Canon David Houlding, a vicar in north London, and one of the loudest voices against female bishops.

"The Church of England will never be quite the same again."

So will he and others now leave?

"We don't know. We're still struggling to find a way forward."

BBC News seems to be enjoying itself at the expense of the "traditionalists."

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