Deacons dispute

THE GENERAL Synod of the Church of England is to meet from February 23-26 to discuss, among other topics, the ordination of women to the priesthood.
The debate will follow revelations this week that Dr Brian Masters the Anglican Bishop of Edmonton, has refused to ordain women deacons, a measure passed by the last Synod. The ordination will be done by Dr Graham Leonard, Bishop of London at St Pauls within the next three months, his press officer told the Catholic Herald.
At a press conference previewing the Synod a church official spoke of the fear that the ordination of women would impede work for unity between Catholics and Anglicans and would "colour voting."
When asked whether the measure for ordaining women, if passed, would cause schism within the Anglican Church, he added that there would be a major concern to preserve unity within the church and that a "code of practice" would be set up for those who are against ordination of women.