Professor Jeremy Carrette has commented on the General Synod ruling giving approval to legislation that allows women to become bishops.
Professor Carrette said: ‘The breakthrough in the Church of England to allow women bishops is a positive step forward to bring the church in line with equal opportunities and employment law. It is a triumph for Archbishop Welby to manage the political will for change, despite continuing elements of strong opposition. It also overcomes the public disappointment with the Church of England when it rejected women bishops in 2012.
‘This move forward reflects Archbishop Welby’s creative stance of living with differences and the decision has opened the way for many talented women to offer their skills in church leadership, something which might be achieved as early as next year with retirements in Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle.
‘However, the decision should not be viewed as something which finishes the discussion of sexism and discrimination within the Church. The Church of England is far from united and religious attitudes continue to be shaped by sexist ideas and practices.
‘Obviously, discrimination and sexists attitudes continue in institutions that already have women’s leadership roles and the Church of England will be no exception for continuing its campaign. The appointment of women bishops should therefore be seen as the beginning of increased reflection and critical rethinking of symbolic and philosophical assumptions about women, gender and sexuality deep within Christian history and caught in complex and subtle forms of community practice today.
‘The Church of England has made progressive steps since the ordination of women in 1992 to catch up with wider society, but now it needs to extend its critical understanding of sexism. We do not stop sexism with symbolic positions of leadership. The Church needs to establish leadership to overcome sexism in society rather than be seen as merely catching up with society.’
Jeremy Carrette is Professor of Religion and Culture at the University’s Department of Religious Studies.
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