The morning after

"David Cameron hails vote on women bishops as a 'Great Day For Equality' "(here). His deputy Nick Clegg said "Allowing women to become bishops is another long overdue step towards gender equality in senior positions. I welcome the Church of England?S decision which means that women can now play a full and equal role in the important work of the Church" (here).

Isn't that fantastic! An opportunist and an atheist, the top two in government, while scurrying around trying to redress the gender imbalance in their coalition take time out to applaud a decision on a subject they clearly know nothing about.

Questioned on Newsnight last night the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, insisted that the vote had nothing to do with being relevant to society. The debate had been 'theological' indicating that he must have been switched off when supporters trotted out time and time again that it was about relevance and equality in today's world. However, I must give credit to one lady supporter who had a different approach. Without batting an eyelid she listed from the Bible as many women as she could in the time available before declaring that scripture proved women should be bishops. She should go far.

Pushed on the wider agenda of new Anglicanism Justin Welby declined to comment on same sex marriage and the ordination of gay clergy on the grounds that he just wanted to enjoy the moment after Synod's momentous decision. But he wasn't deterred from talking about Abp George Carey's intervention on assisted dying, giving the impression that there is much more to come as imported 'theology' continues to dominate the thinking of the House of Bishops. In Australia recently a judge claimed that incest was no longer a taboo suggesting that it is on a par with homosexuality (here) while in California: "Governor signs bill replacing words 'husband' and 'wife' in state law" (here) so plenty of scope for being even more relevant to society.

Now that the enabling legislation is out of the way the next step requires women bishops to be fast-tracked into the House of Lords (here) where they can make more 'theological' decisions. Will that be before or after "theologydanquot; is redefined by the Government I wonder?

In conclusion, spare a thought for the poor woman from Women and the Church who said she had worked for years for this day. Now, at last she feels 'valued'!

I wonder how Mary, Martha.... Felt?

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Something interesting

From: Coalition for Marriage (C4M)

Dear marriage supporter,

Something interesting is beginning to happen?

Travelling around the country in recent months, I?Ve met over a thousand Christians, Jews and Muslims, atheists and agnostics, young people and old, men and women.

There aren?T many areas in life these days where such a diverse class of people can sit together and agree on one thing. But when that one thing is restoring the importance of real marriage to society, it turns out that the unlikely just keeps on happening.

Ignoring the recent inclement weather, supporters joined us on our northern tour which took in Chester, Sheffield, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. And we?Ve been invited to speak to yet more groups around the UK.

It is wonderful to present people with the evidence and arguments for one man, one woman marriage. But what's even more amazing is peoples? Desire to spend a considerable time after each session asking questions and discussing together the need and means of restoring this bedrock in our society.

Whether the issue is rising teenage pregnancies, knife crime figures, inappropriate sex education in schools or the gender confusion seemingly prevalent in our culture, we all know the key answers are to be found in supporting and promoting marriage.

We are the only organisation in the UK that reaches so many different kinds of people up and down the country with that one clear message: marriage matters.

So, if you or anyone you know, would like us to come and give an engaging and completely FREE talk on the arguments and evidence supporting traditional marriage, please get in touch. We would love to bring the message to you also.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgnd) Dr Tony Rucinski

Dr Tony Rucinski

Director of Supporter Strategy

Coalition for Marriage (C4M)

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