From Hugh Muir’s Diary in The Guardian:
Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the US church and the first woman ever to lead an Anglican province, preached at Southwark Cathedral last weekend despite muted hisses of disapproval by conservative evangelicals. But close observers would have seen there was something missing: no mitre on her head. Who could be responsible?
Step forward, Rowan Williams, Archbish of Canterbury, birthday boy (60 yesterday), who couldn’t stop her preaching but said she could not wear the symbol of her office, or carry a bishop’s crosier. Something to do with women bishops not yet being allowed in the C of E. A bit petty, some say, as Jefferts Schori is indeed a bishop and head of her national church – but in any event, she carried the mitre. And the subject for her sermon: God welcomes everyone, regardless of dress or condition.
Muir also notes this news about the ordination of women as bishops in Church of England:
And, with women clergy in the C of E looking forward to next month’s vote in the general synod in York – which is expected finally to agree that women can become bishops here – word comes of a last-minute attempt to scupper the plans. And who is responsible for that? Step forward again, Williams, who with fellow archbishop John Sentamu is framing an amendment to put off yet again making any decision.
The Presiding Bishop is visiting New Zealand and Australia next.