Election of women bishops

Sir, – It makes no sense to deny women from being ordained as bishops when Queen Elizabeth (a woman herself, I believe) is the…

Sir, – It makes no sense to deny women from being ordained as bishops when Queen Elizabeth (a woman herself, I believe) is the supreme head of the Anglican church. – Yours, etc,

W ARTHUR DUTHIE,

Shanganagh Vale,

Loughlinstown, Dublin 18.

Sir, – Canon Ian Poulton (November 24th) may be interested to know that there are several countries in the worldwide Angican community which have ordained women bishops without disturbing the planetary system.

New Zealand is among several countries (US, Canada and Australia) which allows female bishops. The Bishop of Christchurch, the Right Reverend Victoria Matthews blamed “a traditionalist isolated group” that was “distant” from the rest of the Church of England for jettisoning the synod’s attempt to legislate for women bishops.

The Church of Ireland may soon have a unique opportunity to appoint the first Irish female bishop. Then surely the eyes of the world will be on the island of Ireland? – Yours, etc,

BERNARD O’GRADY,

Queens’s Avenue,

Muswell Hill,

London,

England.