Many people will be aware that the House of Bishops is meeting today and tomorrow to consider the report of the Working Group advising them about how to move forward on legislating for women in the episcopate. WATCH’s view is that attempts to find a legislative compromise have run their course after the extensive negotiations around the draft Measure that failed in November. The Church needs to be unequivocal in its support for ordained women and the only way to achieve this is by passing simple enabling legislation and letting Read more …

The text of the address given by the Revd Lucy Winkett  at the LONDON WATCH Meeting, St James’s Piccadilly, on  17 April 2013: “I gave a talk recently in Winchester about women and Christianity. It was for a general audience and so I’d used as the title of the talk not a Bible verse or a line from a saint.  It wasn’t even themed on Mary Magdalene or a feminist theologian. My text came from the Hollywood star  Mae West, who memorably said “I used to be Snow White, but Read more …

Guildford Cathedral announced today that the Queen has approved the nomination of the Revd Canon Dianna Gwilliams to be appointed as the new Dean of Guildford. Dianna is currently vicar of St Barnabas, Dulwich, acting Archdeacon of Southwark and foundation chaplain of Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift, Dulwich. With her appointment Dianna will become one of the most senior female priests in the Church of England, joining four other women who have already been appointed to the post. The Bishop of Guildford the Rt Revd Christopher Hill said: I am Read more …