Anglican Mainstream: A speech that sealed the vote. Angus MacLeay’s summing up speech in the debate

As I seek to sum up this important debate concerning the Women Bishops Measure from a conservative evangelical perspective [at the invitation of the Archbishop of York] I wish to look in a number of different directions.

1) Looking at the revised Measure

The key issue relates to the use of the phrase “in a manner that respects.” We cannot interpret it without understanding the broader context. It is hard to hear an institution such as the Synod offer “respect” at the same time as it is preparing to renege on promises made to us 20 years ago supposedly “in perpetuity”. How can trust flourish when what you currently have is being removed and the proposal that it is to be replaced with is something much weaker? Further how do we understand the word “respect” in the context where female members of Reform are being publicly belittled and insulted in the media by people wishing to support this Measure? “Respect” is an honourable word but within a specifically legal context it is a word which is being asked to bear too great a weight. In legal documents trust is built though the use of clarity in language rather than vague imprecise generalities. “Respect” is a fine word but in this context and with this background it feels slightly hollow. Read more