Female bishops 'further obstacle' to unity says Australian bishop

Melbourne (ENI). The consecration of two female bishops in Australia's Anglican church has placed the spotlight on the implications of these developments for the promotion of unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics. An Australian Catholic bishop has said the consecration in May of the two women - Kay Goldsworthy in Perth, and Barbara Darling in Melbourne - will increase obstacles to unity and reconciliation. In June 2006, the Vatican's top official for Christian unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper, told (Anglican) Church of England bishops that a decision to ordain women bishops would threaten the unity of Anglican bishops, and make full union with the Catholic Church "disappear into the far and ultimately unreachable distance". [421 words, ENI-08-0485]

ENI Online - www.eni.ch