Once again, we read in the news of the 'destruction from within' as The Church Of England falls in line with Jesus' own words that a "House divided against itself cannot stand" .
This internal form of destruction, which is currently plaguing The Church of England, is something that Jesus himself was debating with his disciples when he revealed to them the results of national, social and religious decline in Israel and the ultimate destruction of the temple. It is interesting to note how prevalent the words of Jesus are in relation to Christian values within the Church today because of the pressures of modernism and secularisation.
The Church of England is faced with a new crisis as the havoc created by the drive for Secularism brings the fellowship of believers into disrepute yet again, caused more recently by the 'New Age' thinkers in support of the ordination of gay Bishops and of Women Priests.
Is this recent legislation proving to be the end of Anglicanism and the start of the road towards dissafectionism within the Church of England, and can this devolution really be caused by the ill-reputed appointment to authority of the 'Ordination of Women' to the ministry?
The Church of England appears to be facing another major battle as recent legislation to consecrate women bishops is set to pass a key hurdle.
It has been widely reported that members of the Church's national assembly, the General Synod, are gathering at York University for a five-day meeting dominated by the issue with a marathon 15 hours of debate scheduled on the topic
As part of this gathering's main business, the assembly will also consider draft legislation creating women bishops without the relevant safeguards demanded by objectors, such as setting out new dioceses, or creating a special class of bishop to cater for dissenters.
Instead, women bishops would be granted their own authority to make local arrangements for objectors if necessary, after referring to a special statutory code of practice.
This legislation is likely to come under fierce attack from many conservative evangelicals and Anglo Catholics, some of whom are threatening to leave the Church of England if their demands are not met.
Furthermore, this debate and its subsequent legislation suggests that 'Divorced clergy' could also be allowed to become Church of England bishops for the first time.
It is a fact that Church leaders have been discussing the move for some time and are expected to reveal their decision in July during the General Synod, which is the 'national assembly' of the Church of England.
This convention would mean these changes could face heavy criticism from traditionalists who believe it would undermine the core tradition of biblical teaching.
According to representatives of the House of Bishops, it is expected that the statement, addressing the relevant legal and theological issues, will be available in July when the General Synod meets.
A spokesman for the House says that: there is no legal restraint for persons who have remarried after divorce, or are married to spouses remarried after divorce, in becoming bishops. What is required here is a clarification, particularly in an area where there has previously been some uncertainty, both about the legal background, and the specific policy of The Church of England, to be allowed to embrace this process.
The Church of England is continually facing fresh turmoil within its ranks as it published proposals paving the way for the consecration of women bishops.
Women bishops would be created without specific policies for relevant safeguards demanded by the Church of England's opponents under plans drawn up by a group working on the legislation.
The scheme, to be debated at the Church's national assembly, rejects measures such as the setting up of new dioceses or the installation of a special class of bishops to cater for objectors.
Instead, women bishops who might be appointed in the future, would retain the authority to make their own local arrangements for objectors if necessary, after referring to a common statutory code of practice.
Have Your say...!
What do you think about this recent introduction surrounding the Ordination of Women Bishops?
Do you believe that the Ordination of Women in the Church is against New Testament Teaching and if so?
What evidence is there for holding this view?
What are your opinions regarding the debate over Gay Bishops?
Do you think the Church of England should be more or Less tolerant of others in Church ministry?
Can someone who is divorced continue as a minister?
Have your say on these important topics affecting churches today!
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Acknowlegement: This article contains elements previously reported on by other works on this subject.
