Age Long Custom Still Bar To Church Women

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1949, Page 3

Age Long Custom Still Bar To Church Women

LONDON, May 19. Botli the Archbishop of Canterbnry, Dr. Eisher, and the Bishop of Bristol, Dr. F. A. Coekin, opposed the majority resolution of a joint committee of the Synod which recommended to the Upper House of the Coiivocation of Canterbury, that women should not be allowed to conduet prayers or give addresses in the Church of England. The committee reported that opinion on the matter was sharply divided bnt that the majority . thought that the allowing of licensed lavwomen to take part-in the statutory services of the chnrch, wonld be a departure from the age long order of church ■ lif e, which would tend to cause a disturbanee and become a hindrance to- the reunion of Chiistendom.- The. minority thought there were no •graunds for refusing the \ right of well . qualified ' lay women to ; assist in services and they did not admit that any sueh permission- involved the question ' of admitting women to the priesthood. The Bishop of Southwark, Dr. B. E. Simpson, who presented the report, said that it represented a complete impasse. The objeetion of the majority to the partieipation of women was that it would be a break with the tradition of the church. - The Bishop of Bristol said the report supported sex diserimination. ; He thought its psychological effect . upon . the attitude of women to the church would_ be lamentable. The Archbishop of Canterbury said the fundamental question was whether a woman, by her own nature, was incapa'ble of leading prayers in church. reading the word of God or giving an address. He was bound to say there was no ground on which it was conceivably possible to say that these were things women eould not do. There was nothing which forbade a woman who suitably qualified, from taking part in the services of the church. It would be disastrous if they appeared unwilling to accept this aid from qualified women if there was a need for it. Further diseussion was adjourned so that the - matter might be referred to the Lower House. ♦ , „