Sadness over Horsham bishop’s u-turn on women bishops

The chairman of The Society’s Council of Bishops, who received the resignation of Bishop of Horsham has expressed his sadness at his decision to leave the council.
County news.County news.
County news.

The Society is an ecclesial body of bishops whose aim it is to promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England.

After much prayer and contemplation, the Rt Rev Mark Sowerby announced today (June 10) he would be standing down from the Society’s Council of Bishops after wrestling with its conservative stance against women bishops.

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Bishop Mark has said he will accept ordinations of women deacons, priests and bishops. He remains the suffragan bishop of Horsham in the Diocese of Chichester.

The Rt Rev Tony Robinson, chairman of the Society Council of Bishops said: “It is with great regret that I have received the Bishop of Horsham’s resignation from the Council of Bishops of The Society. I acknowledge the pain he feels in taking this step, and his regret at the pain it will cause for others.

“Part of The Society’s purpose is to continue within the Church of England a tradition of sacramental theology and ministry that accords with the mind and practice of the great churches of East and West. We see this as our contribution both to the breadth and diversity of the Church of England and to the quest for the full visible unity of Christ’s Church.

“As a member of the Council of Bishops, the Bishop of Chichester will continue to provide pastoral and sacramental ministry and oversight under the House of Bishops’ Declaration to the clergy and people of The Society in his diocese. We send Bishop Mark our good wishes for his future ministry.”

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