Women As Bishops

This book sets out the theological case for ordination of women bishops in the Church of England. In ’Women as Bishops’ a range of contributors argue that it is not only possible but desirable that women be ordained bishops in the Church, and that the Church of England has the competence to do so and should proceed now.

Contributors to the book include Oxford theologians Dr Mark Chapman, Dr Charlotte Methuen and Dr Jane Shaw and also theologians from the Old Catholic and Methodist Churches as well as leading Roman Catholic proponent for women’s ordination, Dr John Wijngaards. Separate chapters deal specifically with the criticisms raised by the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales and conservative anglo-catholics. So far the debate has lacked a clear, positive voice from a Catholic perspective in favour of women bishops. We hope that this book redresses that balance. The publication comes at a crucial time after the General Synod of the Church of England has decided to proceed towards the consecration of women bishops.

James Rigney is Chaplain and Director of Studies in theology at Magdalene College, Cambridge.