Many Clergywomen Consider Resignation After Church of England Denies Women The Right To Become Bishops

Since the General Synod voted against allowing women to become bishops last week, the decision has become the biggest crisis faced by the Church of England for decades, alleges a piece on the post-vote fallout in UK periodical The Telegraph. Many of the present bishops (notably, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who cited “deep personal sadness” after the decision came in) had pushed to allow women into the high-ranking clergy post. Some had even trained women for the ministry themselves, such as Dr. Steven Croft of South Yorkshire, who is “deeply disappointed” by the ruling.

“I deeply value and cherish their ministries as do the parishes where they serve. Alongside their male colleagues, they serve sacrificially, wholeheartedly, with great skill and dedication.”

Since Tuesday, says Dr. Croft, he has spoken with a fair amount of British clergy—specifically, female priests and deacons who feel undermined by the ruling—who are so upset that: