Church’s Laity chief survives vote of no confidence

Dr Philip Giddings, chairman of the House of Laity, will continue in his role after 80 people voted against the motion of no confidence, compared with 47 voting for it and 13 abstaining, in a meeting at Church House in Westminster, central London.

Canon Stephen Barney moved the vote of no confidence after controversial legislation to allow women to become bishops failed in the House of Laity, one of three houses which makes up the Synod, by just six votes.

Dr Giddings said he was grateful for the vote of confidence but that discussions were needed about how the House of Laity should proceed in future. “I hope and pray we can put this behind us and that the temperature can be lowered,” he told lay members.

Yesterday’s vote came after the Church was hit by fierce recriminations following the legislation’s failure in November.

The General Synod houses of bishops and clergy carried the legislation to introduce women bishops, but in the House of Laity it was six votes short of reaching the two-thirds majority.

Addressing lay members, Canon Stephen Barney, from the Leicester diocese, said the House of Laity had damaged the reputation of the Church. “The House of Laity is seen as the body which frustrated the will of the Diocesan Synods,” he said. “There is widespread anger and disbelief at what we did.”

Canon Barney added that national figures including Prime Minister David Cameron had spoken of their disappointment that the legislation was not passed, with outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams saying the decision had damaged the Church.

“There is no doubt in my mind that what we have done as the House of Laity has injured the reputation and mission of our church,” said Canon Barney. “I feel deeply ashamed at this.”

He also said that Dr Giddings had directly contradicted the views of incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who spoke immediately before him at the General Synod in November.

During that speech, Dr Giddings had told members there was “a better way” and that he believed it would be “unwise” to go ahead with the legislation.

He had also claimed then to be speaking on behalf of “a significant minority of lay people who are opposed in principle to women bishops”.

Canon Barney said the “partisan” speech convinced many floating voters but did not represent the views of the majority of Church members.

Dr Giddings said the Church of England needs to find a way to achieving what most people want – “to have women bishops without losing those who have conscientious objections to that development”.