THE
P RTAL
April 2017
Page 7
‘Restricted Access?’
Fr Simon Ellis, a catholic priest in the Ordinariate, explains how
the appointment and subsequent stepping down of The Right
Revd Philip North as Anglican Bishop-elect of Sheffield represents
a watershed moment in the life of the Church of England and a
unique moment to re-evaluate the Ordinariate
T he announcement
from No. 10, at the end of January, of her Majesty’s approval for the
nomination of Bishop Philip North as Diocesan Bishop of Sheffield would, in the normal round of
things, not register much, except for those directly connected with the Diocese. But these are not normal
times. His appointment has precipitated an outpouring of anger in the media and social media. His stepping
down from the appointment was announced on 9th March and caused more heartache and outpourings of
sympathy on social media.
At the heart of the issue we have, on the one hand,
those in favour of the concept that traditionalists
(those who do not ‘believe’ in women priests or
bishops) should not be restricted in terms of high
office. On the other, we have outraged liberals and
their supporters who believe that his very elevation to
the post of Diocesan bishop negates the ministry of
women priests, who make up to a third of the clergy
in the Diocese. On balance, to whom would you feel
sympathetic? A tough call.
It is more nuanced, of course and there are women
bishops and priests who were in favour of Bishop
North’s appointment, if only on the grounds of the deal
done (“Guiding principles”) in General Synod in 2014
where a recognition of traditionalists’ continuing role
at the heart of the Church of England was enshrined.
On that day, Archbishop Welby summed up the
agreement, stating: “Today we can begin to embrace
a new way of being the church and moving forward
together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing
in the church of those who disagree.”
simply as ‘The Society [of Traditionalists]’, whose
Council of Bishops includes Bishop Philip North.”
Clearly, we are entering new territory here.
Incidentally, I believed that Philip North would become
Bishop of Sheffield; I was sure he would grit his teeth
and then make his way around his new Diocese and as
the people got to know him, opposition would slowly
fade. That now will not happen. Those of us who know
him can only respect his integrity, his gift for teaching
and preaching, his deep prayer life and his generosity
of spirit to all with whom he works.
We have seen this in his parish ministry in
Hartlepool and London and his memorable stint as
Administrator of the Anglican Shrine at Walsingham
(2002 - 2008). My daughters - now in their 20s -
remember their teenage years attending Walsingham
Youth Pilgrimages, and they were truly blessed by his
ministry. He is exactly the kind of Bishop the Church
of England needs.
But the deeper message of this debacle is that no
longer are the Church of England’s Bishops - be they
conservative or liberal, male or female - going to
exercise a ministry which is unrestricted. The Church of
England may have initially triumphed in magnanimity,
but it is now permanently, sacramentally fractured.
And yet, communion is an inner bond of faith united
in Christ. It has to be held together with more than
affection, although affection has been lacking here too.
But certainly, impaired communion is not enough.
People need certainty about the sacraments. We
“Sheffield is a go-ahead, vibrant, progressive city, have to commit to Christ’s journey outlined in John
with cutting-edge universities and research-led 17. As Pope Benedict XVI stated “practical initiatives
industries. It is thoroughly modern. The public will shouldn’t be a substitute for theology”.
neither comprehend nor welcome this rather fogeyish
It is not all doom and gloom, however, because this
sacralised sexism of the religious organisation known
Many have argued that ‘flourishing’ has to include
appointments to any ministry within the Church.
Nevertheless, some people in the diocese of Sheffield
have started to vocalise their opposition to the
appointment of Bishop North and a number of
clergy their severe misgivings, sending him “highly
individualised attacks” as North is quoted as saying.
There were also those like Canon Martyn Percy, Dean
of Christ Church, Oxford, who stated: