Bellringer Chris Cooper says women bishop plans are 'wicked'
Ashford bellringer Chris Cooper says there is no place
for women as bishops in the Church of England.
The Churchyard Passage resident, who campaigned against the
re-ordering of Ashford’s St Mary’s Parish Church, said he was
pleased the General Synod had turned down the proposals for women
to become bishops last week.
Mr Cooper said the move would not only have been an ‘unlawful
innovation’ but would be ‘evil’, ‘wicked’ and flew in the face of
Jesus.
He said: “I fear some will not agree, but I really think we
dishonour our Lord if we continue to work towards this legislation
because it is quite wrong.
“Some will disagree with my use of emotive language, but we must, I
feel, show these people that they are not welcome.
“I know it is the fashion to be ‘moderate’ and ‘reasonable’, but
Jesus did not always behave like that and nor must we. I fear that
our traditionalist wings of the Church will not heed my voice and
that I will remain a voice in the wilderness because what I have to
say, and the way I say it, is not seen as gracious, fashionable or
the way to do things.”
In the House of Laity, 74 voted against women bishops while 132
voted for them – it was just six votes short of it being passed
with a majority of two-thirds.
Last week Kingsnorth and Shadoxhurst parish priest Canon Sheila
McLachla said she was devastated by the news. Outgoing Archbishop
of Canterbury Rowan Williams also spoke of his deep personal
sadness.
It could be another five years before a similar vote can be
held.
29/11/12
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