A response to the report of the Independent Reviewer into the referral by Women and the Church (WATCH)
from Anglican Ink:
…regarding the appointment of Diocesan Bishops who do not ordain women.
On the publication on 11 April of a report into the appointment of the Bishop of Blackburn and its implications that has taken almost a year, the Church of England issued a simultaneous press release headed ‘Independent reviewer upholds appointment process for Bishop of Blackburn.’ Or, in other words, ‘Nothing to see here.’
Having not seen the report in advance, Women and the Church (WATCH) – which first submitted concerns to the Independent Reviewer, Canon Maggie Swinson, in April 2023 – has taken some time to digest the 45 pages of the report and finds that actually there is quite a lot to see.
To read the full report, see here:
In summary,
The bulk of Canon Swinson’s Report is an examination of the consultation process in Blackburn diocese which led to the nomination of Bishop Philip North as the next diocesan bishop. However, there are other findings and recommendations that WATCH considers are important and need to be heard and followed up by the House of Bishops.
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