Women Bishops And Bishop Philip North: What Does ‘Mutual Flourishing’ Actually Mean?

Mar 13, 2017 by

by Harry Farley, Christian Today:

The Church of England is heading for ongoing clashes on women’s ordination after Philip North stepped down following a campaign against his promotion as Bishop of Sheffield.

Martyn Percy, who led the calls for him to withdraw, has hinted he will continue to oppose any traditionalist bishop who is nominated for a senior role.

The Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, admitted the row had been a ‘sad one’ for the whole Church but said there was ‘confusion’ about what ‘mutual flourishing’ might mean. The term was adopted in the CofE’s settlement passing women bishops in an attempt to hold together both sides of the fractious debate.

‘I think it is very difficult because terms like ‘mutual flourishing’ and ‘gracious respect’ have been taken by some and inflated to mean their views are equally valid,’ he told the BBC’s Sunday programme.

‘What I think you can’t do is say that views that are inherently discriminatory – that is to say that they will not accept women as priests or bishops, or men who have been ordained by women bishops – those views are inherently discriminatory and you cannot impose those over a workforce – clergy – who don’t want to be discriminated against. It’s really not possible.’

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