Legal threat to women priests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Opponents of the ordination of women are considering a legal challenge to the decision yesterday of the Church in Wales to ordain women priests.
The opponents of the measure, concentrated in the House of Clergy, failed by one vote to muster the necessary one-third of the vote that would have blocked the measure for a second time. The voting figures were 85 for and 40 against among the clergy. The laity voted overwhelmingly in favour, by 136 to 47; and the bishops by six to none in favour.
The vote means that there will next year be women priests in all the four Anglican churches of the British Isles. Nearly 80 women deacons are waiting to be ordained in Wales. The Welsh church has made less elaborate and generous provision for opponents than was done in England.
There will be no "flying bishops" to minister to those priests and faithful who repudiate bishops who will ordain women and all their works, though there may be an assistant bishop specially appointed for that constituency.
Financial compensation for priests who leave will be limited to a maximum of two years' salary; and available only in cases of proven hardship.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments