David's Daily Diversions

Vacant Protest

Because his choice for suffragan Bishop of Reading eventually withdrew under pressure, the Bishop of Oxford is considering leaving the position vacant in protest. He may not appoint another bishop until the C of E makes up its mind about gay sex. In the words of The Times, "the Right Rev Richard Harries, is considering whether, if the Church of England does not want a homosexual Bishop of Reading, it should have no bishop at all."

Clearly pastoral concern for the flock isn't the chief consideration. To Dr Harries, the episcopate is nothing more than another slogan on a placard. Even though I don't believe the C of E clergy are in apostolic succession -- physical succession, I mean, since any hint of spiritual succession has evaporated -- I am disgusted that someone who has been entrusted as the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Oxford and its people would treat this with such cavalier disregard.