The battle for female clergy

[Hope]

Percentage of women Bishops is......?

Depends where you are referring to, Seb.  In the USA, its relatively high, in the UK it isn't - but then non-Anglican denominations in England have had women as church and even denominational leaders for many years.

[Brownie]

Approximately 6% of refuse collectors are female.  Rather them than me but I wouldn't care about picking up rubbish, I'd object to having to get up so early.  Nothing to do with me being a woman.

[Sebastian Toe]

Depends where you are referring to, Seb.  In the USA, its relatively high, in the UK it isn't - but then non-Anglican denominations in England have had women as church and even denominational leaders for many years.

I thought it would be obvious that I would be referring to the church referred to by Vlad in the OP. The clue is there if you look really hard.

[Leonard James]

Whilst not officially designated as 'refuse collectors', women spend a lot of their housework time doing just that ... and I would guess, far more than men. 

[ProfessorDavey]

Wrong, Rhi.  As I've already pointed out, the Baptists, Salvation Army - and Methodists - have ordained women for many years.  In fact, the Church of England were possibly the first denomination to ordain women - as deaconesses; Deaconess Licence #1 was awarded in 1862, 3 years befoere the Salvation Army came into being.

The notion that the CofE in particular and Christianity in general is at the forefront of the fight for gender equality is totally laughable. The CofE and other major denominations have dragged their feet, way behind the curve, for decades - I note you fail to mention the RCC, just about the largest Christian denomination which still prevents women even being priests, let alone Bishops.

Contrary to popular belief, they were trained and underwent a form of ordination or 'setting apart', albeit not on the same level as ordination for men.

My emphasis added and all you really need to know. If there is equality there is no question of 'not at the same level' - that means no equality Hope - I trust you understand this.

[ProfessorDavey]

The concept of women as church leaders goes back to Paul's epistles in 50 AD or so.

'Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.'

Recognise this quote Hope ... oh yes it is from Paul. Clearly a champion of rights for women ... not!

[ProfessorDavey]

Depends where you are referring to, Seb.  In the USA, its relatively high, in the UK it isn't

But even in the USA there are loads of churches that ban women from leadership positions - see this link, which doesn't even mention RCC or orthodox, yet provide quotes from over 30 denominations that don't allow women in leadership positions.

http://www2.cbeinternational.org/new/E-Journal/2007/07spring/denominations%20first%20installment--FINAL.pdf

Imagine if you asked FTSE 100 companies whether women were banned from leadership positions ... guess what the answer would be

'... err no, what an odd question, of course we don't ban women from leadership positions ...'

and that would be from every single one of them. Or if you asked local councils, or government departments, or schools, or universities, or small companies, or UK charities, or NHS trusts etc etc. Nope the notion that this is even a question that needs to be asked shows just how far from embracing equality Christianity is.

It is a non issue in other walks of life, it remains a major 'live' issue in Christianity.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

It is a non issue in other walks of life, it remains a major 'live' issue in Christianity.

But at only 6% of dustpersons being women it surely is an issue in that walk of life.

[Hope]

I thought it would be obvious that I would be referring to the church referred to by Vlad in the OP. The clue is there if you look really hard.

And that church would be which, Seb.

After all, the OP makes no mention of a particular denomination:

I believe the first woman Bishop has been in the job for about a year now.......but there is one thing which puzzles me.

There are a number of denominations that have Bishops.

[Rhiannon]

And that church would be which, Seb.

After all, the OP makes no mention of a particular denomination:
There are a number of denominations that have Bishops.

It does though Hope. Makes it very clear.

And I didn't know Methodidm and the Baptist churches gave a Synod.

[Hope]

The notion that the CofE in particular and Christianity in general is at the forefront of the fight for gender equality is totally laughable. The CofE and other major denominations have dragged their feet, way behind the curve, for decades - I note you fail to mention the RCC, just about the largest Christian denomination which still prevents women even being priests, let alone Bishops.

OK, PD, when were women in the UK given the vote; when were British women allowed to run businesses; when were British women allowed to study academically?

My emphasis added and all you really need to know. If there is equality there is no question of 'not at the same level' - that means no equality Hope - I trust you understand this.

If you look at the history, you will find that each of these freedoms were given incrementally, initially to the wealthy and already privileged, in the same way that the Church has worked incrementally.  I'm not saying that this is acceptable, just pointing out that society has been no different.

[Hope]

It does though Hope. Makes it very clear.

And I didn't know Methodidm and the Baptist churches gave a Synod.

Rhi, there is no reference to a Synod in the OP -so that seems moot.  As for the point about Bishops, there are a number of denominations that have an episcopal hierarchy.  Furthermore, as I've pointed out before, there are sections of the Anglican Church that have had women in roles of leadership for decades.

Interestingly, the point about there being about 6% of refuse collectors being women suggests that society is behind this particular equality curve.

[Rhiannon]

Rhi, there is no reference to a Synod in the OP -so that seems moot.  As for the point about Bishops, there are a number of denominations that have an episcopal hierarchy.  Furthermore, as I've pointed out before, there are sections of the Anglican Church that have had women in roles of leadership for decades.

Interestingly, the point about there being about 6% of refuse collectors being women suggests that society is behind this particular equality curve.

Ok, I'll be nice and help you out here.

1. Which denomination had its first bishop around a year ago?

2. Which denomination has a Synod, mentioned subsequently in one of Vlsd's posts as being where female clergy are protesting?

[Sebastian Toe]

And that church would be which, Seb.

...the one where...

the first woman Bishop has been in the job for about a year now

After all, the OP makes no mention of a particular denomination:

It does not that is correct, but I did ask you to look hard.
Did you?

There are a number of denominations that have Bishops.

There are indeed but how many consecrated its first female bishop around January/February last year?

Are you there yet Hope?