Monday, October 18, 2010

Defecting bishop brands Church of England vicious and fascist in bitter row over plans to ordain women

'Vicious' and 'fascist' - just some of the accusations leveled at the Church of England by its own bishop in a bitter row over the Anglican Church's decision to press ahead with plans to ordane women bishops.

The Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, attacked the Church as he explained his decision to defect to Rome following his resignation on Friday. 

As a traditionalist, he has accused the Church of breaking its promises to those opposed to women's ordination and warned that the Pope's inviataiton to disaffected Anglicans to join the Catholic Church would gather momentum with those dismayed by their treatment.

When the ordination of women bishops was first discussed in 1992, the Church announced that there would always be 'an honoured place' in the Church of England for traditionalists who opposed the idea.

But in July, the Church of England voted to move ahead with the introduction of women bishops with no concessions to its opponents.

A final vote will take place in 2012.

Many now feel that their concerns are being ignored and that they are being marginalised by the Church.

Meanwhile, a parish in the Archbishop of Canterbury's diocese has caused a stir with its announcement that it will be also be defecting to Rome.

St Peter's Church in Folkestone, Kent, is to join the Ordinariate, as system designed by the Vatican that allows Anglicans to convert while retaining some of their heritage.
 
Bishop Broadhurst predicted it will be the start of a wave of conversions away from the Church of England.

He said: 'I think the Ordinariate will cause a huge shock. People have underestimated the impact it will have.

'I don't feel I have a choice but to leave the Church and take up the Pope's offer. The General Synod has become vindictive and vicious.

'It has been fascist in its behaviour, marginalising those who have been opposed to women's ordination'.

He added: 'The Church of England made it clear that it does not want us.  The Roman Catholic Church understands what we're about, but our own Church does not'.

St Peter's in Folkestone has become a magnet for traditionalist Anglicans and the move to Rome was backed by most of the 35-40 strong congregation.

Retired priest Fr Jamie Houghton, who worships at the church, said: 'The Pope's offer was the answer to our prayers. The debate over women priests has been going on for years and it's time to draw a line in the sand.

'We don't accept the liberal agenda. There has to be a place for traditionalists in the Church but we are being forced away and I sure many other churches will follow.
 
'We are not anti-women, we are pro-tradition'.

However, Fr Houghton did concede that some parishioners had 'reservations' about the move whilst it remains unclear whether the diocese would allow them to keep the church.

Many local residents criticised the move with one branding the move 'totally wrong'.

Sid Hill, 65, added: 'this smacks of a cheap recruitment campaign by the vatican. The Church should rise above it'.

SIC: DM/UK