Russian Orthodox spokesman: female bishops in Church of England will harm ecumenical dialogue

July 17, 2014

The chief ecumenical spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church has issued a statement lamenting the decision by the Church of England to allow for female bishops.

"The Orthodox Church takes a negative stance on so-called female priesthood and female episcopacy," said Metropolitan Hilarion. He remarked that the decision "shuts for us the door to any discussion" of whether the Anglican communion has maintained apostolic succession in the episcopate.

Metropolitan Hilarion said that the decision reflects a liberal trend among many Protestant churches, moving further from Church traditions. "The space for dialogue is narrowing down at the fault of our partners," he said, "and it is with great regret that we have to state this."

 

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Further information:

• Russian Church chagrined by Church of England vote allowing women to be bishops (Interfax)