The Bishops of the Church in Wales today promised to provide continuing care for those opposed to the ordination of women, following a decision not to appoint a new assistant bishop.

They stressed there was still a place in the church for those unable in conscience to accept the ordination of women and emphasised their commitment to sensitive pastoral care for all people and parishes in each diocese.

The announcement follows the retirement last June of Bishop David Thomas who came to be known as the Provincial Assistant Bishop. He was appointed in 1996 when the church decided to ordain women as priests.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, made the announcement to the Governing Body of the Church in Wales meeting at the University of Wales, Lampeter. While acknowledging Bishop David’s faithful ministry, he said that after 12 years of women ordained as priests the Bishops had decided not to appoint a successor.

Dr Morgan said, “We reaffirm as Diocesan Bishops our commitment to securing a continuing place in the life of the Church in Wales for those who cannot in conscience accept the ordination of women to the priesthood.  However, we no longer consider that the continuation of additional episcopal provision for one part of the Church on grounds of belief or doctrine on one particular issue is either necessary or consistent with Anglican ecclesiology.  All Church in Wales clergy and parishes are in communion with their respective Diocesan Bishop, regardless of whether or not they agree on every issue.  Episcopal oversight and care for all within each Diocese is the responsibility of the Diocesan Bishop.

“There remains a continuing place in the Church in Wales for those unable to accept the ministry of women priests, but we do not believe that this is contingent upon appointing another Provincial Assistant Bishop and it is therefore our decision not to appoint.  Whilst bringing a particular arrangement to an end, we remain committed to serving every person and every parish within our respective Dioceses and we will continue to be sensitive in our appointments, both in terms of the views of parishes and in ensuring that clergy from different parts of the Church are given the opportunity to progress in their ministry.”

The full statement from the Bishops of the Church in Wales follows.

For more information, please contact:
Anna Morrell
Archbishop's Media Officer / Swyddog y Cyfryngau i'r Archesgob
Tel: 02920 348208; mobile: 07 91 91 587 94
39 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff / 39 Heol y Gadeirlan, Caerdydd
CF11 9XF
http://www.churchinwales.org.uk

Ordination of women: pastoral provision
A Statement by the Bench of Bishops

At the time of the Governing Body’s decision in 1996 to enable women to be ordained to the priesthood, the Bishops of the Church in Wales agreed to the appointment of an assistant bishop to provide additional episcopal care for those who could not in conscience accept that decision.  This Bishop came to be known as the Provincial Assistant Bishop (“PAB”).  The role of the PAB was to minister with the express permission of the Diocesan Bishop, and parishes were issued with guidelines about the exercise of that ministry.  At that time there was concern in some parts of the Province about the implications of the ordination of women priests, and the appointment of the PAB was part of the Bench’s public commitment to providing a continuing place in the Church in Wales for those opposed to such ordinations.

From 1996 to the end of June this year, Bishop David Thomas served as the Provincial Assistant Bishop.  At the last Governing Body meeting, the Archbishop expressed the gratitude of the Bench for his faithful ministry, and in particular for the way in which he worked closely with the Diocesan Bishops.  The Diocesan Bishops have continued to provide support for all clergy and parishes, regardless of whether they had asked for the ministry of the PAB, and consequently clergy and parishes opposed to the ordination of women have continued to play a full part in the life of their respective Dioceses and in the life of the Province.

We are now 12 years on from the Governing Body decision to allow women to be ordained as priests.  Bishop David Thomas retired at the end of June, and the Bench has now reviewed the need for a continuation of additional episcopal care.  Our discussions have focussed on the needs of the Church in Wales, not on the personal ministry of Bishop David Thomas.  Consequently our conclusions should in no way be seen as a reflection on his ministry as PAB.

We reaffirm as Diocesan Bishops our commitment to securing a continuing place in the life of the Church in Wales for those who cannot in conscience accept the ordination of women to the priesthood.  However, we no longer consider that the continuation of additional episcopal provision for one part of the Church on grounds of belief or doctrine on one particular issue is either necessary or consistent with Anglican ecclesiology.  All Church in Wales clergy and parishes are in communion with their respective Diocesan Bishop, regardless of whether or not they agree on every issue.  Episcopal oversight and care for all within each Diocese is the responsibility of the Diocesan Bishop.

There remains a continuing place in the Church in Wales for those unable to accept the ministry of women priests, but we do not believe that this is contingent upon appointing another Provincial Assistant Bishop and it is therefore our decision not to appoint.  Whilst bringing a particular arrangement to an end, we remain committed to serving every person and every parish within our respective Dioceses and we will continue to be sensitive in our appointments, both in terms of the views of parishes and in ensuring that clergy from different parts of the Church are given the opportunity to progress in their ministry. 

September 2008