Could sex discrimination laws be applied to religious organizations? This is a rather sticky wicket in the United States with our separation of church and state. However, in England, Parliament is taking up the question as it applies to the Church of England. It is helpful to remember that the Church of England is the officially established Christian Church in England with the queen holding the title of the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The church of England: above the law?
An debate on gender discrimination by religious groups focused on women bishops – but MPs fudged the issue
Posted in the Guardian (UK) online
Yesterday, all eyes – well, Fleet Street’s anyway – were on PMQs but in Westminster Hall a handful of honourable members were grappling with the application of sex discrimination laws to religious organisations.
A debate on women bishops may seem like small fry against the backdrop of growing public disquiet over Britain’s military presence in Afghanistan, but yesterday’s 45-minute meeting gave an insight into what parliament might do when presented with legislation on the ordination of women bishops. In a word – fudge.
Most of those present were unwilling to give a view on whether parliament should endorse sexual discrimination by approving a law that, as it stands, removes certain powers from women bishops. Robert Key, the Conservative MP for Salisbury and General Synod member who sparked the private members’ debate, said: “The Church of England is behind the curve and we don’t want it to be like that.
“The fact is that most Anglicans who go to church want to see women ordained as bishops. What we need from parliament and from government is clarity on the terms that would be acceptable – first, to the ecclesiastical committee and then to both houses.”