Bishops married to divorcees 'pose serious challenge to traditionalist Anglicans'

[...] For some people, therefore, the proposed consecration of Nicholas Holtam is a serious challenge to Church order. And indeed it may be — but the extent to which this is so clearly depends on the circumstances of his wife’s divorce.

This, however, took place in her teens, and it is obviously not for individuals to pry into why. Nevertheless, just as potential ordinands must face questioning in this regard, so it must be hoped that someone has delicately asked Mr and Mrs Holtam the same questions.

There would, however, be very serious problems if the answer was that Mrs Holtam’s divorce fell into neither of the categories arguably allowed by Christ or St Paul. It is one thing to disagree whether there are such exceptions. It is quite another simply to disregard this teaching entirely, for example by dissolving a marriage on the grounds of ‘breakdown’.

That such divorces occur is undoubtedly true. But the Church surely stands or falls by its faithfulness to Christ’s teaching. And it is the lack of clarity on this point which has potential for difficulties not just in Salisbury but beyond.

However, there is another, and just as pressing, reason why the nomination of Mr Holtam causes difficulty for traditionalists. Read more


Please give a full name and location when posting. Comments without this information may be deleted.