By Heather Tomlinson2023-01-13T13:52:00
The appointment of Rt Rev Philip North as Bishop of Blackburn has reignited the debate within the CofE over views on female ordination – and may have implications for upcoming debates on same-sex marriage. North is widely admired for his strong track record on social justice, and many women support him. Can the Church find a way forward?
Can conservatives and liberals work together in the Church of England, or will they eventually need to split?
The forthcoming response to the appointment of the new Bishop of Blackburn may be a key indicator.
Women’s campaign groups within the Church of England have strongly opposed Rt Rev Philip North’s new role, despite his reputation as a voice for the poor and as an excellent pastor.
That’s because
2023-01-20T11:42:00Z By Martine Oborne
There are still many unanswered questions in the appointment of the CofE’s first diocesan bishop who does not ordain women, says Martine Oborne. What message does it send to female clergy? And how can they be expected to flourish in an environment where institutionalised discrimination still exists?
2023-01-19T17:43:00Z By George Pitcher
Taking sides without properly listening to the arguments that don’t match our own may be the undoing of us, says George Pitcher. Stop your ears at your peril
2023-01-17T12:55:00Z By Jill Duff
The appointment of Rt Rev Philip North as Bishop of Blackburn was not universally welcomed last week, with some expressing concern that Bishop North doesn’t ordain female priests. But Rt Rev Jill Duff, who oversaw the consultation on his appointment, explains why, as a woman, she’s excited to work with him
2025-09-02T18:12:00Z By AJ Gomez
40,000 Christians gathered in London’s ExCeL for the annual New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations event. AJ Gomez reports
2025-08-26T14:31:00Z By Tim Wyatt
Chris Brain, leader of the now-disgraced Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) has been convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault. It is the latest scandal to rock the CofE and once again poses questions around complaints that were ignored for years
2025-05-22T10:52:00Z By Tim Wyatt
The election of Pope Leo XIV has focused attention on another Church in need of a new leader. Yet what took the Catholic Church just two weeks will take the CofE almost a year. Why does it take so long, and what has gone wrong already? Tim Wyatt offers his guide to the appointment of the next ABC
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