Archbishop Welby says the Church can begin “moving forward together” after General Synod enacts women bishops legislation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said [on 17 Nov 2014] the Church of England can start to embrace “a new way of being the church” after the General Synod enacted legislation enabling women to be ordained as bishops.
The formal enactment of the legislation – Amending Canon 33 – followed the vote on final approval by the Synod at its meeting in July of this year. Since that time the legislation has been approved in Parliament and received Royal Assent.
Following the vote Archbishop Justin said: “Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the church and moving forward together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing of the church of those who disagree.”
The final legislative requirements took place during a session chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, on the first day of the Synod’s meeting in London.
With the Instrument of Enactment having been read to Synod the motion was put without debate, with only a simple majority required for approval.
Following the item being passed the legislation was signed into law by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York before the whole Synod.
