Women bishop objectors claim their protest is based on the Bible's teachings

Suzette Gutierrez Cachila Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Church of England appoints Libby Lane as its first woman bishop December 17, 2014 12:46pm EST | Reuters

Two ministers who objected to the ordination of women bishops explained their objection is based on what the Bible teaches.

One of them, Rev. Stephen Holland, told Christian Today that his protests were not meant to stop the consecration of women bishops. He said he merely wanted to send a message across.

Holland, who is not part of the Church of England but is an independent minister from Lancashire, maintained that "there are no women bishops in the Bible."

He explained that his protest is not about equality of the sexes but with the roles that God has assigned to men and women.

"Objections to women holding positions of leadership within the church of Christ has nothing whatsoever to do with equality, fairness, or worth. It has to do with roles that God Himself has given to both male and female," Holland told the publication.

Another minister, Rev. Paul Williamson from the Church of England, explained he respectfully asked permission from the Archbishop of York to voice his objection, but it was not granted.

Like Holland, Williamson's objection to the ordination of Bishop Libby Lane was based on the fact that no woman bishop has been identified in the Bible.

"The Council of Nicea in 325 states clearly in Canon 1 that priests are men and uses gender specifics. The Church of England is bound by the Council of Nicea," he said, according to Christian Today.

The two ministers' statements came a few days after a group that supports women bishops urged the Church of England to prevent protesters during consecration rites.

In a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Women and the Church addressed the presence of protesters at the ordination of women's bishops, saying the act undermines women who have been called by God to serve as ministers.

"It undermines and insults all women: and especially women for whom female bishops are potent symbols of a radical shift in the Church's treatment of women.'Maybe things haven't changed at all, underneath', they might conclude," WATCH wrote.