Women bishops
and valid sacraments

Jonathan Clatworthy

The Church of England's current proposal to permit women bishops raises once again the question of theological objections. When the ordination of women to the priesthood was discussed in the 1970s and 1980s, theological claims were made on both sides. This time there has been more emphasis on seeking a system which satisfies as many as possible; it is as though nobody any longer expects resolution of the theological disagreements. Opponents of women priests continue to believe their objections have not been met; supporters still find it difficult to understand them.

This article focuses on a central concern of opponents, the conditions for the validity of the sacraments, expressed for example in Simon Killwick's article in the Church Times in July 2010. My aim is to undermine this concern by describing the historical origins and theological weaknesses of the idea...

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Shifting Paradigms: Theology & Economics in the 21st Century

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