Woman bishop

·         On May 22, 2008 in Australia, the first woman bishop, Kay Goldsworthy, was consecrated in St George’s Cathedral in Perth. .. move welcomed by Australias sex discrimination commissioner as a turning point for the church and the nation.

·         But a minority of Australian Anglicans, angered by the appointment, have warned that it will split the church.

·         Women have been serving as Anglican bishops in the US since 1989, but many other countries find the idea divisive.

·         Twenty-one Anglican bishops from Australia and New Zealand were among a congregation of more than 800 to show their support for Kay Goldsworthy's controversial appointment.

·         Opponents of the ordination of women, including the head of the Sydney diocese, Archbishop Peter Jensen, did not attend the ceremony.

·         A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight.

·         The office of bishop is one of the three ordained offices within Christianity, the other two being those of priest and deacon.

·         Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Anglican churches, bishops claim Apostolic Succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles.

·         Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops.

·         Some Protestant churches including the Lutheran and Methodist churches have bishops as well, although their duties are usually only oversight as Protestants generally reject the sacramental theology of Catholicism.

·         The non-Protestant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church also has bishops, who serve as spiritual leaders of local congregations (wards).