wfn.org | [ENS] Committee refuses further 'dialogue' on ordination of women

["Mika Larson" <mini_mika@earthlink.net>]

Augusst 1, 2003

Committee refuses further 'dialogue' on ordination of women

by Mary Frances Schjonberg
Convention Daily 
 
[ENS] After hearing testimony that the time for talking about women's
ordination is long passed, the legislative committee on Communications
Thursday refused to accept resolution A017's call for a day of dialogue
and reflection on women's ordination at the next General Convention.

Instead, the committee amended the resolution, leaving only a statement
that "gives thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit within our communion
through the life-giving ministry of ordained women."

The original resolution grew out of last convention's decision to send
Executive Council visitors to the dioceses of Fort Worth, San Joaquin
and Quincy to "visit, interview, assess and assist" their bishops in
complying with the ordination canons. The task force reported to this
convention that it was "impossible to 'assist'" because they were viewed
as an intrusive, unwelcome and uninvited group.

Katie Sherrod, a visitor from the Diocese of Fort Worth, told the
committee she's been coming to convention since the 1991 meeting in
Phoenix, "trying to get relief, help." The summary of the task force's
visit to her diocese "was a real slap in the face," given the risks
people had taken to testify before the task force, she said. "But the
real slap in the face is this," she said, holding up resolution A017.

Executive Council member the Rev. Cynthia Black told the committee it
was an outrage that it was even considering a resolution suggesting more
conversation. "It is an outrage that we are here in this city 27 years
after the vote, and there are still bishops being ordained who refused
to uphold the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church,"
she said. "It is an outrage."