Posted on 10/13/2005 5:23:13 PM PDT by sionnsar
Employment tribunals could be hearing numerous claims from traditionalist clergy for constructive dismissal if women become bishops. The possibility of such a scenario will emerge at the annual national assembly in London of Forward in Faith later this month as delegates consider a proposal from the Anglo-Catholic body’s governing council.
Council members, headed by the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, want legal opinion to be sought on the employment status in law of both beneficed and unbeneficed clergy. And they are particularly anxious to be advised by counsel on whether any claims for constructive dismissal might be successful “in the event that women are consecrated as bishops and no adequate provision is made for those who dissent.” This is an oblique reference to Forward in Faith’s demand for the creating within the Church of England of a third or ‘free’ province, separate from the provinces of Canterbury and York, which would be free of women bishops and priests.
Assembly delegates will also debate a further council call for the lobbying of individual members of the ecclesiastical committee of Parliament for the inclusion of “adequate safeguards” for traditionalist Anglicans in legislation allowing women to become bishops.
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