In 2014 the Church of England passed legislation enabling all orders of ministry to be opened up to women.

Throughout the process which led to that conclusion, it was understood that some parishes would nevertheless be unable to receive the ministry of women as priests and bishops. It was therefore agreed by the General Synod and the House of Bishops that provision would be made for those parishes. The process for applying for that provision is set out below, under the heading ‘Extended Episcopal Oversight’.

In the Diocese of London this provision is defined by The London Plan.

After a process of consultation a PCC can vote to request this provision, which is available solely on the basis of theological conviction relating to the ordination of women. The PCC is asked to consult widely and must then vote on a resolution to this effect.

A PCC’s theological conviction is likely to be expressed either in Traditionalist Catholic terms (based on the parish’s understanding of communion, ministry, and sacramental assurance), or in Conservative Evangelical terms (based on the parish’s understanding of headship). The Bishop of Fulham, as a Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese, will normally exercise episcopal ministry in the Traditionalist Catholic parishes making a request; and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese, will normally exercise episcopal ministry in the Conservative Evangelical parishes making a request.

When a resolution is made by a Traditionalist Catholic parish, the Bishop of Fulham, acting as Commissary for the Bishop of London, exercises pastoral and liturgical ministry to that parish as described in a document setting out working arrangements which have been agreed collectively by the London College of Bishops. These arrangements are reviewed periodically.

When a resolution is made by a Conservative Evangelical parish, the Bishop of London makes arrangements for an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese (normally the Bishop of Ebbsfleet), acting as Commissary for the Bishop of London and in close collaboration with the relevant Area Bishop, to offer episcopal ministry to those parishes.

Extended Episcopal Oversight

The House of Bishops set out the terms of the provision to be made in these two documents:

1 Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests (GS Misc 1076)

2 House of Bishops’ Declaration – Guidance Note (GS Misc 1077)

Central to the Declaration are the Five Guiding Principles. They need to be read one with the other and held together in tension, rather than being applied selectively:

  • Now that legislation has been passed to enable women to become bishops the Church of England is fully and unequivocally committed to all orders of ministry being open equally to all, without reference to gender, and holds that those whom it has duly ordained and appointed to office are the true and lawful holders of the office which they occupy and thus deserve due respect and canonical obedience;
  • Anyone who ministers within the Church of England must be prepared to acknowledge that the Church of England has reached a clear decision on the matter;
  • Since it continues to share the historic episcopate with other Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and those provinces of the Anglican Communion which continue to ordain only men as priests or bishops, the Church of England acknowledges that its own clear decision on ministry and gender is set within a broader process of discernment within the Anglican Communion and the whole Church of God;
  • Since those within the Church of England who, on grounds of theological conviction, are unable to receive the ministry of women bishops or priests continue to be within the spectrum of teaching and tradition of the Anglican Communion, the Church of England remains committed to enabling them to flourish within its life and structures; and
  • Pastoral and sacramental provision for the minority within the Church of England will be made without specifying a limit of time and in a way that maintains the highest possible degree of communion and contributes to mutual flourishing across the whole Church of England.

Process and guidance

When seeking extended oversight it is important that the guidance is followed. A vote must be taken by the PCC in order for a resolution to be made, and for that resolution to be held valid it must be passed on the basis of a PCC’s collective position on the ministry of female bishops and priests. Best practice is strongly encouraged, including the PCC consulting as widely as possible prior to the vote.

The Guidance Note accompanying the House of Bishops’ Declaration encourages a PCC to consult widely within the parish, and the London College of Bishops commends and support this. In addition, the Bishops and their representatives (members of the Senior Staff and other senior clergy) will be available to answer any questions and points of concern which the PCC may have about the nature of such a request and the process for making it. Invitations for Bishops and members of Area Staff, including the Dean of Women’s Ministry, to meet with members of the PCC, are particularly welcome.

Links to resources from several different theological perspectives can be found here:

The website of the Bishop of Ebbsfleet Guidance – The Bishop of Ebbsfleet

The website of the National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry Microsoft Word – A guide for congregations

The website of Forward in Faith Forward in Faith – Women Bishops

How and where to communicate the passing of a resolution

If a PCC has passed a resolution of this nature it is important that any implications for the life of the church are plainly and clearly communicated, for example by explaining that a female priest will not be appointed to the parish, or that female clergy may hold certain roles in a ministry team but will not be appointed as incumbents.

Churches will communicate their position in different ways, but will want to consider the following:

This should be done in language which everybody will understand, whether or not they are familiar with church governance structures and internal politics! It is not helpful simply to refer to ‘GS Misc 1076 on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests’.

Ideally this information should appear in the places in which other aspects of church life are described and where it can easily be found. It should include an explanation of the particular theological conviction held, so that people understand the context and reasoning.

It is important that a church’s understanding of these issues, together with the implications for parish life, are expressed consistently in its preaching, teaching and pastoral care.

Addressing the implications for congregational life and vocations

The implications for the involvement of lay women in the life of the church should be made clear: for example whether or not women can lead any form of service, or preach, or have responsibility for a discussion group. The process whereby women can explore a call to ordination should also be explained: clergy in parishes which have passed resolutions should indicate how this will happen so that women are aware that there is a route to exploring their vocation.

How and when to review the decision

A PCC which has made a resolution may review or rescind it at any time. The Guidance sets out an expectation that the resolution be reviewed during a vacancy, with a view either to confirming that the current arrangements are satisfactory or voting afresh on the matter if the position has changed.