Women priests discussed

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32737, 14 October 1971, Page 6

Women priests discussed

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON, Oct. 13. The Nelson Diocesan Synod is to ask the General Synod to delay making any final decision on the admission of women to' the priesthood until the subject has been considered further by the Anglican Consultative Committee.

A move to have the Nelson Synod approve in principle the ordination of qualified women to the ministry began a debate yesterday which was resolved only after three amendments were discarded in favour of a fourth amend, ment urging further discussion by the Church’s more representative body, the Anglican Consultative Committee.

During the debate, various speakers referred to the possibility of theological objections to such a course of action and questioned whether the Synod was fitted to discuss and make a decision on such important theological matters. Two of the three amendments asked the Synod to recognise that there were no overwhelming objections to women in the priesthood. Both were discarded. The

third sought to pledge the Synod to a full consideration of the matter after receiving the report from the Commission of the General Synod. It also was lost. Finally, the Diocesan Chancellor (Mr I. E, Fitchett) successfully moved the amendment that the Synod request that no final decision on the question be made by • General Synod until the ■ matter had been further conl sidered by the Anglican Consultative Committee.