22. Ordination of Women

Prologue: Bishop Wyatt reviewed the present situation and outlined the steps required prior to the Ordination of Women to the priesthood. Bishop Valentine reported that the Task Force on the Ordination of Women will circulate study materials, to the House, and requested that the members be prepared for in-depth discussions at the December meeting. It was agreed that the Church-at-large should be informed of what the Bishops are doing now in the way of program and study, and that there will be further information following the meeting of the House in December.

Text of motion: "That this House asks the Chair to appoint a Task Force to prepare a report for distribution to all Bishops in advance of our December meeting, outlining the essential steps which would make possible implementation of the General Synod approval of the Principle of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood, and that our December meeting accept and/or reverse this report for distribution to the whole Church. CARRIED

Notes: It was agreed that the report which is prepared for eventual presentation to General Synod should have appended a bibliography, and the Primate agreed to have circulated to the Bishops a list of appropriate study materials.

Subjects: Ordination of women - Anglican Church of Canada; Anglican Church of Canada. House of Bishops. Task Force on the Ordination of Women