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 | 2000-DEC-19: Pakistan: Church of Pakistan ordains two women
deacons: According to PCUSANews: The Church of Pakistan was formed in 1970, from a merger of the country's Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and other Protestant groups. They are a partner church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The have about 800,000 members, forming a substantial portion of the approximately 2.8 million Christians in Pakistan. Pakistan is primarily a Muslim country, with about 2% Christian believers. The church has made history in Pakistan by opening their clergy to women. They ordained their first two women deacons on NOV-21. "The diaconate is the first step towards the priesthood, and deacons have an important role in church liturgy and ministry." Bishop Samuel Azariah, moderator of the church said: "We have gone ahead with what we believe is right. We have made our commitment to it...None of the mainline churches have opposed this though officially they may not agree with me 100 per cent on this." Timotheus Nasir, the moderator-secretary of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan (UPCP), is opposed to the move. The UPCP is a breakaway church in the Presbyterian tradition. He said: "Women's ordination is not authorized by the Bible...[The Bible contains] an executive order -- by the Apostle Paul and duly confirmed by the Apostle Peter -- that women are not allowed to speak in the church. So we have taken the bishop to court to prevent apostasy and heresy that are bound to follow this." He says that his church "believes in biblical theology, and we do not go along with modern theology. [The UPCP] will keep the fight on till the bishop repents and the court gives him due punishment under the law." He claimed that "the radical feminist movement, homosexuality and lesbianism -- all approved by World Council of Churches -- are linked to this [women's ordination]." Nasir claims that a Lahore civil court has issued a contempt of court notice on Bishop Azariah for going ahead with the ordinations. But Bishop Azariah claims that he has not committed a contempt of court, noting that the ordination was completed before the court took action. He commented: "The court has no jurisdiction on the interpretation of the Scripture. The court is not the authority to tell the church who is to be ordained and who is not to be ordained. There is a clear mandate in the Bible for including women in the ministry of the church." |
| 2001-MAR-1: Presbyterian congregations request opt-outs:
According to PCUSA News for 2001-MAR-1: The Presbyterian Church (USA) first allowed women candidates to be ordinated in 1956. Now, almost five decades later, overtures (motions) have been received for inclusion on the agenda of the church's General Assembly in 2001-JUN that would reverse this policy. One overture would empower individual congregations to refuse to consider female candidates for ordination, purely on the basis of their gender. On the other hand, other overtures have been received that would allow individual congregations or presbyteries out of clause G-6.0106b. This is a part of the denomination's Book of Order. It prevents non-celibate gay and lesbian candidates from being considered for ministry, regardless of their abilities and qualifications. |
| 2001-APR: Two noncompliant Episcopal dioceses deny ordination to women: Bishops in the Fort Worth, TX, Quincy, IL and San Joaquin diocese, CA still refuse to ordain women to the priesthood. They believe that the Bible restricts the office to males. The Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) has decided to support ordained women for up to three months in these two dioceses. Under the "Angel Project," female priests would celebrate the Eucharist, preach, and offer pastoral care, without the approval of the bishop. EWC president, Lyn Headley-Moore, said "It is intended to support the feeding and needs of the people in the noncompliant dioceses who want to experience the ministry of female priests on a regular basis." |
| 2001-JUL-23: Anglican church in Australia to debate female bishops: On 2000-NOV-16, the Australian Anglican Church issued draft legislation covering the consecration of women as bishops. On 2001-JUL-23, their General Synod accepted a bill for debate which, if passed, would allow the consecrations. |
Reference:
- Anto Akkara, Ecumenical News International: "Church of Pakistan ordains women deacons, despite court challenge: Breakaway church goes to court to halt 'apostasy'." Distributed by pcusaNews on 2000-DEC-19.
- You can subscribe to PCUSANews or read their past postings at: http://pcusa01.pcusa.org/mailman/listinfo/pcusanews
Copyright © 2000 & 2001 and 2004 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 2000-DEC-19
Latest update: 2004-JUN-20
Author: B.A. Robinson
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