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Synod stands by Scripture by defeating women bishops bill, says Archbishop Jensen
After the defeat of legislation to allow women to become bishops, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen said he was pleased that the Synod had stood by the plain teaching of Scripture and defeated the Bill.
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After the defeat of legislation to allow women to become bishops, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen said he was pleased that the Synod had stood by the plain teaching of Scripture and defeated the Bill.
Earlier during debate, Dr Jensen said the objections do not arise from misogyny or protecting ‘a boy’s club’, but from belief in the authority of the Bible.
“The very book that brings liberation is also the same book that says ‘equal but different’. Authority ultimately rests with God’s Word,” he said.
This evening, Dr Jensen said he understood the sadness and regret of the proponents of the new legislation.
“The ongoing differences in our Church on this matter will be viewed with sadness by all,” he said.
“We must continue to engage our brothers and sisters in Christ, so we can continue serving the Lord together and proclaiming his message of salvation. That, as always, is our priority as his Church.”
“I am praying that all sides respond to this result with level-headedness and patience.”
The bill required a two-thirds (66 per cent) majority in each of the three houses – laity, clergy and bishops.
The proposed bill ‘Women in the Episcopate’ was defeated in the house of clergy and house of laity. In the House of clergy there were 106 votes, 63 ‘yes’ to 43 ‘no’ (60 per cent ‘yes’ vote). In the House of Laity there were 106 votes ‘ 67 ‘yes’ to 39 ‘no’ (64 per cent ‘yes’ vote).
In the House of Bishops the vote was 17 ‘yes’ and 6 ‘no’ (74 per cent).
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