Anglican women bishops ruling an obstacle for Rome

THE Vatican has condemned the Church of England’s decision to allow women to become bishops.

The Church of England’s governing body voted on Monday to allow women to become bishops.

A statement by Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, said it was a “further obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England”.

It added that it will have consequences on future dialogue between the two churches. While the Catholic Church does not ordain women, Catholics and Anglicans have nevertheless been engaged in talks to overcome theological divisions.

Church of England legislation to implement the change is to be debated next year, and officials say it is unlikely that any woman would be consecrated as a bishop before 2014.

Cardinal Kasper added in the statement: “For the future, this decision will have consequences for dialogue, which so far had been fruitful.”

The Anglicans split from Rome more than four centuries ago when King Henry VIII left in 1534 over the pope’s refusal to grant him a marriage annulment.