Church of England traditionalists say some will stay to 'defeat' women bishops plan

A letter sent by 15 bishops on the Anglo-Catholic wing concedes that some clergy and lay people will now convert to the Roman Catholic Church after they suffered a defeat at a critical meeting.

But it goes on to say that others will chose to remain in the Church of England, despite their opposition to women joining the episcopate, some because of "family loyalties" or even "financial necessity".

And the prelates point out that the current plan to introduce female bishops without any significant compromise to opponents must still clear several hurdles in dioceses across the country and then at the General Synod, the Church's governing body, so there is still a chance it may fail.

They urge their fellow traditionalists not to criticise those who choose to take a different path to them.

"We are all bishops united in our belief that the Church of England is mistaken in its actions. However, we must be honest and say we are not united as to how we should respond to these developments," the pastoral letter states.

"Nevertheless we are clear that each of the possibilities we have outlined has its own integrity and is to be honoured. We are resolved to respect the decisions made by laity, bishops, priests and deacons of our integrity, and call on you to do the same. It would be a sad and destructive thing indeed if we allowed our unhappiness and wondering to drift into unguarded or uncharitable criticism of those who in good conscience take a different path from our own. We must assume the best motives in one another, and where there are partings let them be with tears and the best wishes of Godspeed."

The Church of England, which has accepted women priests since 1994 but with "flying bishops" to cater for those who believe tradition and scripture insist on male leadership in the church, is part of the way through a lengthy process to admit female bishops.

At a meeting of the Synod in York last month, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York failed in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a damaging split by making more concessions to traditionalists. The Synod instead voted to introduce women bishops with only an as-yet unwritten "code of practice" to deal with objectors, rather than new "men-only" dioceses or new classes of bishops.

As a result, many Anglo-Catholics are now considering whether to cross over to Rome en masse, under the terms of a new Anglican Ordinariate proposed by Pope Benedict XVI. This will allow them to enter into full communion with the Vatican while retaining parts of their Anglican heritage. Others may convert individually, as hundreds did when women priests were introduced.

But the draft legislation decided upon in July must still be agreed by all 44 dioceses in England, and then voted through by a formidable two-thirds majority in each of Synod's three "houses" - groups of laity, clergy and bishops - in 2012.

The pastoral letter signed by the traditionalist bishops - including those of Chichester, Blackburn, Burnley and Whitby as well as the flying bishops - has been sent to 1,000 clergy in the Forward in Faith group who signed an earlier open letter warning of a mass exodus over the move to allow women prelates.

It says these are "grave times" in the Church and, although plans for a compromise have been rejected, they detect a "measure of disquiet in the majority about proceeding without a provision acceptable to traditionalists".

The bishops say some "trailblazers" have already resolved to join the Ordinariate and that many more will need to "consider seriously" crossing the Tiber if the current plan to introduce women bishops goes ahead, with the first female expected to don a mitre in 2014 at the earliest.

But they continue: "Those who are not actively seeking a home elsewhere must work to defeat the currently proposed legislation. It is essential that traditionalists engage in the debate and discussion in their diocese and are active in the election process for the next quinquennium of the General Synod when the two thirds majority in each House will be required if the legislation is to pass."

However the traditionalists managed to get compromises agreed by Synod, legislation affecting the established church must also be considered by Parliament.

Last week, Tony Baldry, the Conservative backbencher who as Second Church Estates Commissioner would guide the law through the Commons, said: "I made it clear in York at the General Synod that I did not think I could get through this House any legislation in which there was a scintilla of a suggestion of women bishops in any way being second-class bishops."

SIC: TCUK