Why the Church of England has no Balls

It has been a troubled month for the Church of England. A weakened and long delayed proposal for women bishops has finally been accepted by General Synod (muted cheering), but Jeffrey John's name has mysteriously been withdrawn from the shortlist for the prestigious bishopric of Southwark (loud booing).

There really is a crisis of authority in the Church of England and much as I admire Rowan Williams I regret that it is now time for him to come out loud and proud for what he actually believes in. It is widely accepted that Dr. John is the best bishop the Church of England hasn't got and it is time to put this right. The Archbishop is of course facing pressure on two fronts - from conservative "catholic" Anglicans over women bishops and from conservative "evangelical" Anglicans over women bishops and gay clergy. Both groups are actually minorities though substantial ones.

I'm not an Anglican but it puzzles and distresses me that the Church of England has ceased to believe in its own authority to make decisions. The founding principle of the Anglican Church is not so much a unique doctrine, as a belief in its own right to govern itself independently. When decisions like the consecration of women bishops or the nomination of a candidate for bishop who happens to be gay, are taken through the proper processes of that church they are valid and binding. Part of our Christian fellowship is that we belong together in churches in which we may not always agree - but we have to accept the decisions that we have made prayerfull y together after seeking God's guidance. The Church of England does not have to wait until it finds full unanimity (this will never happen) nor should it be looking over its shoulder at what Rome is doing (a denial of the very nature of Anglicanism as a self governing church). Acceptance of decisions with which we cannot all agree is part of the true meaning of Christian discipline.

Given the nature of the issue I shall not mince my words. It is time for the leadership of the Church of England to have some balls. If you want to find the right people to be your next generation of bishops then you should look at those whom God is gifting and calling - and that cannot be done by restricting God's choice to one gender and one interpretation of sexuality.