House of Commons
Westminster
London, SW 1A 1AA

Dear 

Women Bishops in the Church of England

You may not be aware that at present, by law, women priests are not eligible to be considered for appointment as bishops in the Church of England. This is in marked contrast to the situation in 14 other Provinces of the world-wide Anglican Communion, including Scotland and Ireland, where there are no obstacles to women priests becoming bishops. The Church of England first ordained women to the priesthood in 1994, and now there are 2000 women priests ministering in parishes and colleges, hospitals and prisons, throughout this country. In July 2006 the General Synod took the decision in principle to consecrate women as bishops, and a Legislative Drafting Group is now preparing the necessary legislation.

WATCH believes that the legislation that allows women to become bishops should be non-discriminatory. The Church of England is at present exempt from sex discrimination legislation, because when women were ordained as priests formal arrangements were made that allowed those opposed to refuse their ministry. WATCH proposes that any future arrangements must be informal and local, so that there is no ‘official’ discrimination against women.

Would you please let me know whether you would vote in favour of legislation enabling women to become bishops on a par with men? I very much hope so.

Yours sincerely,