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ENGLAND: Provision sought for Evangelicals opposing consecration of women bishops
In an attempt to guage the need for provision for evangelicals if the Church of England legislates to permit the consecration of women Bishops a petition is being gathered in the names of :
* Rt Rev Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes
* Rev David Banting, Chairman of Reform and Vicar of St Peter's Harold Wood
* Rev David Phillips, General Secretary of Church Society
* Rev Dr Dr Simon Vibert, Chairman of Fellowship of Word and Spirit and Vicar of St Luke's Wimbledon Park.
Provision will be debated by the General Synod in February 2006 and a group under the chairmanship of the Bishops of Guildford is producing proposals.
Now that the Synod (in July) has voted to move ahead we are looking not simply opposing the legislation but ensuring that if it goes ahead provision is made for all who believe it to be wrong.
Submissions are being made to the Guildford Group. The aim of the petition is to have a tangible indication of the need for provision that is acceptable to evangelicals.
Whilst anyone may sign we are particularly keen that Clergy, Readers, Wardens and Ordinands within the Church of Englland sign up.
The petition will be sent to members of Church Society, FWS and Reform in the next week or so. You can also sign up to it online at www.evangelicals.org/petition
The closing date for signatories will be the end of October.
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