by the Faith and Order Commission
Church House Publishing, 2018
The Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission have written a helpful summary and guide to the principles that underpinned the ‘settlement’ which enabled the ordination of women as bishops. The commitment to “mutual flourishing” of those of different views, and what that means in practice. The document will be particularly helpful for those who come to this subject more recently, who do not know the history or what commitments have been entered into. The document is available as a free download, as well as for purchase https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/faith-and-order-commission
The report includes an encouraging case study of Bishop Sarah Mullally, (writing then as Bishop of Crediton, now Bishop of London) of how those with different theological convictions on this matter can work together, page 44:
“Within the Diocese of Exeter there are those who have found my appointment as a woman bishop difficult. In meeting with them I have developed trusted relationships and an understanding of how we can offer ministry together. This has always started with a conversation about how I can enable their ministry to flourish and how will we relate in a way which respects our theological difference.
The Bishop of Ebbsfleet and I have established a good working relationship. We have sat together on interview panels for priests in parishes under his oversight and we have shared responsibility for pastoral issues related to clergy in Devon who look to his oversight. I have been able to preach in a number of churches in which Bishop Jonathan has been invited to exercise pastoral and sacramental ministry, and working together we are looking to opportunities to model the Five Guiding Principles in undertaking shared study days and retreats and in shared worship.
I have ensured that the Five Guiding Principles are explored not only with those who don’t accept my ministry, but also with those who do, and I will be sharing a session on our local ministerial training scheme in the new year with two colleagues, one from Forward in Faith and one from Reform, to talk about how we undertake ministry together.”
Adrian Vincent. August 2018.