From The Daily Telegraph —Today the Church will vote again on whether women should be raised to the episcopate. It has a new leader, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and it seems right that the General Synod should look once more at the issue. Of course, the principled views of opponents have to be taken in account, both those on the Anglo-Catholic wing and the sizeable group of conservative evangelicals. It is encouraging that new, simpler arrangements have been put in place so that minorities can be accommodated, with bishops being trusted to look after their own dioceses. And those involved say that the mediation sessions that took place earlier in the year were friendly and trusting.

It is not for us to tell the Church what to do, but all who wish it well would surely like to see this long disagreement settled. It’s true that the Church looks to a higher authority than the whims of contemporary society when making decisions, and opponents of women bishops in the Synod will have come to their view after careful thought. But Anglicans are pragmatic people: many will feel that having agreed to permit women priests in 1992, allowing women bishops is the next logical step. On the whole, people who worship at their local church on Sundays are happy to have women as their vicars; something that once seemed unthinkable and extraordinary now seems normal. The rest of the population, who may not be regular worshippers but who retain a deep affection for the institution, will be of a similar mind.

Matthew 28:

1: In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2: And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3: His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5: And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6: He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7: And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8: And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Mark 16:

1: And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2: And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3: And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4: And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5: And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6: And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7: But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Luke 24:

1: Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2: And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3: And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4: And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6: He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7: Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8: And they remembered his words,
9: And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10: It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

John 20:

11: But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12: And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13: And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14: And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16: Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18: Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

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