The Russian Orthodox Church reacts to the decision taken by the General Synod of the Church of England to start the procedure for the ordination of women as bishops.

"This decision - says the spokesperson of the Patriarchate of Moscow, Igor Vyjanov, to the Russian news agency "Novosti" - gives a hard blow to all the Anglican Communion, because it reveals the contradictions that exist within it". Then, denouncing the "radical liberalism" that prevails in the Anglican world, the leader of the Russian Patriarchate also highlights that, by taking this decision, the Church of England breaks with the apostolic tradition, preventing dialogue between the Churches. "This tradition - explains Vyjanov - has deep roots and a very deep theological meaning that cannot be reduced to a social issue, and above all one cannot think that the earlier generations did not love or respect women".

News by SIR