Media Centre

Daily Media Briefing: Wednesday 21 November

21 November 2012

Good Morning from the Church of England Communications Office

Issued at 08.20 by hd / nc

Feria
Tomorrow: Cecilia, martyr, c.230

1. General Synod Rejects Draft Legislation on Women Bishops

The General Synod of the Church of England has voted to reject the draft legislation to allow women to become bishops. Under the requirements of the Synod the legislation required a two-thirds majority in each of the three voting houses for final draft approval. Whilst more than two thirds voted for the legislation in both the House of Bishops (44-03) and the House of Clergy (148-45), the vote in favour of the legislation in the House of Laity was less than two-thirds (132-74). The vote in the House of Laity fell short of approval by 4 votes. For full details go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/11/general-synod-rejects-draft-legislation-on-women-bishops.aspx

2. Archbishop-designate speaks in favour of women bishops legislation

Rt Rev Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, spoke in favour of the legislation to enable women to be bishops at the General Synod today, as many spoke alternately in favour and against. For more details go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/11/archbishop-designate-speaks-in-favour-of-women-bishops-legislation.aspx

3. General Synod begins Final Approval debate on draft legislation on women bishops

The General Synod celebrated Holy Communion in the assembly chamber, after which, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, took the chair for the debates on legislation that would enable women to become bishops in the Church of England. The full statement may be found at http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/11/general-synod-begins-final-approval-debate-on-draft-legislation-on-women-bishops.aspx.

4. Archbishop of Canterbury's Statement for the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has released a statement for the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. For full details, go to http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2712/archbishop-of-canterburys-statement-for-the-world-day-of-prayer-and-action-for-children

5. Mental Health Matters: New web resource launched at Synod

A new web resource to encourage the Church's pastoral ministry in the area of mental health, Mental Health Matters, was launched today at a fringe meeting during this week's sessions of the General Synod at Church House, Westminster. The full statement may be found at http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/11/mental-health-matters-new-web-resource-launched-at-synod.aspx.

6. Today's press coverage

Telegraph p1, Financial Times p4, Times p1 and p6, Guardian p1, Independent p1 and p2, i p1 and p7, Daily Mail p4, Daily Express p5, Sun p4, Daily Mirror p2, Daily Star p8, Metro p4
Many news stories relaying the news that the General Synod of the Church of England did not give final approval to legislation that would have allowed women to become bishops.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9691990/Churchs-final-no-to-women-bishops.html
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a8dff0a6-3346-11e2-8e44-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2CqBpntKc
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3606446.ece
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3606804.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/20/church-of-england-no-women-bishops
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/church-of-england-general-synod-votes-against-women-bishops-despite-late-plea-from-next-archbishop-of-canterbury-8335671.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2235906/Church-England-rejects-new-law-allow-women-bishops.html
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/359508/Turmoil-as-Church-of-England-rejects-vote-for-women-bishops
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4656092/No-snub-to-female-bishops.html
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/283621/Bishop-turmoil-for-Church-of-England/
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/918532-church-of-england-in-crisis-after-blocking-women-from-being-bishops