MPs warn of danger in women priests delay

POSTPONING THE ORDINATION of women could damage the Church of England and risk alienating large numbers of worshippers, according to a committee of MPs and peers.
The parliamentary ecclesiastical committee report, published this week, explains last month's decision by the group to accept the General Synod's vote in favour of ordaining women and "emphatically rejects" the suggestion that the move to allow women priests was "unlawful".
The report concluded: "The majority of the committee have no doubt that to postpone the introduction of women priests would be damaging to the Church."
Several members of the, committee had argued that there was not yet sufficient consensus for the introduction of women priests into ordination and that it would be "divisive and likely to lead to schism in the Church."
Among the concerns voiced by opponents of the legislation is that there are insufficient assurances that priests opposing womens' ordination will not be barred from becoming bishops. The majority of the committee urged the establishment of women priests without delay.