CHRIST CHURCH RECTORY

from

the

Rector

September 2010

Dear Friends,

Recently much has been reported about the proposed consecration of Women as Bishops. I use the word consecration intentionally as we already have Women ordained to the Priesthood and they do not need to be ordained again to become Bishop. Consecration is different, for the person is set apart for a distinct role by the Church.

Church buildings are consecrated as houses of prayer and places of worship, again set apart for that purpose. At the prayer of consecration at the Eucharist the bread and wine are again set apart as they become for us in a spiritual way the body and blood of Christ.  So to be consecrated, to be set apart, is to be allowed to be different for holy matters in the service of Christ and his Church.

Ordination is a response to an inner call to serve God, which is then recognised by the Church at a Priest’s ordination service. Consecration is recognition of a decision made by others that the person is suitable for the post to which they are to be consecrated. Here there is a difference that is very important.

The present deliberations about Women Bishops need to be looked at in this way. There are many people in the life of the church who see some of their colleagues who are ordained women priests as  remarkable and gifted Bishops. The call for this is not from those who want to become Bishop, but from those who see in others the potential for the total benefit of the Church.

Regretfully this has caused much sadness and concern for all involved.  There are genuine reasons why some do not accept the ordination of women and those who do. 

However, God calls all of us to reach our true potential. Jesus called his followers from all walks of life to follow him and transformed them in doing so. They were consecrated and set apart to carry on his work and ministry that led to the early Church and the Christian faith as we know today. 

As we seek a way forward in pursuing the rightful role of women to become Bishops.  God gives to all of us the perception to seek in our Women Priests the true potential for great and valued leadership in the ministry of the church. 

With my best wishes and prayers

Stephen Attwater

Rector  

Page updated 24/08/10