Jess, from ‘cross the sea, of the most recent of churches to see forth to bishop women, stands in this article, Church of England?, with a defense, and a claw or two. An interesting close to her article…

“The Church of England attempts to be just that, a Church which meets people where they are. Not just the good church-going people, but those who turn up at the vicarage in a state and demand to see a priest; not just the theologically literate, but the people who know nothing save their own distress. We have on the one side those who seek to so radically reinterpret Scripture that it empties out the meaning of much of the Gospel, leaving only a warm fuzzy feeling in its place; we have on the other those whose interpretation of the Gospel seems to focus so much on what is ‘legal’ that is leaves only a cold, hard lack of emotion in its place. Between the two we seek to find ways where we can work with all to bring the Good News of salvation to all who will receive it.”

Then in comment, these challenging words…

“Frankly, I think the answer is yes. Any woman who has consulted a male priest about her spiritual needs and a female one is likely to tell you that the former, whatever his experience, is less use than a woman. I do not find that men get this, although if they had to consult woMen priests all the time, they would.”

The link to the entire article is titled above.