British Anglicans will allow female bishops
Boston Globe: "The governing body of the Anglican Church in Britain voted yesterday to approve the appointment of femal bishops. The step appeared to risk a schism in the church in its historic homeland at a time the Anglican Church worldwide faces one of the most serious threats to its unity in its history, over the ordination of gay clergy." The battle between the liberals and traditionalists is severe. Conservatives voted to break away from the Anglican union in Jerusalem last month to fight the American church and its liberal allies. They say that if their demands are not met, they are threatening the formation of a separate church. Traditionalists "argue that Jesus, in choosing only men for his 12 disciples, intended that men alone shoul have the responsibility of ministering to his followers." Unwilling to give up male domination, traditionalists are forcing a huge split and possible breakup of the church in Britain. Right Reverend Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, "who heads the worldwide Anglican Communion...has condemned the move." He argues that the new body separating from the Anglican union has "no legal standing and challenges the Christian teachings of tolerance." Female bishops will not be appointed before the year 2014.