Ship of Fools: Associate Archdeacons

Thread: Associate Archdeacons Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Incensed (# 2670) on :

Word reaches me that the Bishop of London has appointed a new Archdeacon of London and an Associate Archdeacon of London. Does anyone know whether there is such a thing as an Associate Archdeacon anywhere else?

Posted by mr cheesy (# 3330) on :

Using my amazing google skills, I have discovered that the title "Associate Archdeacon" has been known in the Anglican Communion since at least 1926 and that Canon John Day was appointed Associate Archdeacon to the Diocese of Liverpool in 2014.

Posted by Amos (# 44) on :

The Two Cities Area of London is moving from having two Archdeacons with other, additional responsibilities, both parochial and administrative, to having one full-time Archdeacon with no additional responsibilities and an Associate Archdeacon who is also the Dean of Women's Ministry for the whole of the diocese of London. That's how I read this communication anyway: http://www.london.anglican.org/articles/archdeacons-two-cities-ad-clerum-0615/

[ 17. June 2015, 09:35: Message edited by: Amos ]

Posted by The Man with a Stick (# 12664) on :

The position, juridically, does not exist. However, under a number of pieces of legislation, and the Canons the Bishop (in some cases) and the Archdeacon (in others) may delegate certain archidiaconal functions to another priest.

That is what will be going on here. The interesting question would be what would happen if the Archdeacon and the "Associate Archdeacon" fell out and the Archdeacon withdrew his delegation.

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

Our diocese has restructured so we have one less archdeacon that before but a priest is 'acting up' to gain experience so that he can apply for preferment.

Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :

Or an archsubdeacon, perhaps? [Roll Eyes]

Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Metapelagius:
Or an archsubdeacon, perhaps?

Most of the subdeacons I have encountered (at least liturgically) have tended to be 'arch'. [Big Grin]

Sorry, I'll get my biretta.

Posted by pete173 (# 4622) on :

The Archdeaconry of Charing Cross is being suppressed. The Two Cities Area will be under the Archdeacon of London, with an Associate Archdeacon - who is giving up her role as Dean of Women in order to take on the Safeguarding Portfolio in the Diocese along with her Archidiaconal duties. The legalities are tricky because of the "only one office holder per office" issue and the question of jurisdiction.

But we shall find ways of circumnavigating that. And it will be a good partnership to model for the CofE - a man who does not (yet!) accept the episcopal and priestly ministry of women working with a woman priest who has been an articulate and thoughtful campaigner on the issue.

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

One feels bound to ask WHY it is thought necessary to have a 'Dean of Women'? And if there is a need for such a person, who is the 'Dean of Men'?

There have been ordained women since 1994 so I'd have thought it was high time this sort of nonsense stopped.

The Church can't afford this sort of thing on purely economic grounds, never mind the 'jobs-for-the-girls' taste of the whole thing.

Posted by TomM (# 4618) on :

quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
One feels bound to ask WHY it is thought necessary to have a 'Dean of Women'? And if there is a need for such a person, who is the 'Dean of Men'?

There have been ordained women since 1994 so I'd have thought it was high time this sort of nonsense stopped.

The Church can't afford this sort of thing on purely economic grounds, never mind the 'jobs-for-the-girls' taste of the whole thing.

In most diocese, I believe, it is not a (separate) paid post - the person occupying the role often having a 'day job' in some other capacity in the diocese.

In many areas, there is still discrimination against women in ministry (not those objecting on theological grounds, but pure misogyny), and in those cases an advocate can be important. There are also questions to be addressed as to why the pattern of women offering themselves for ordination is so different to that of men, and whether that is tied into other issues, as well as many other areas that such a person might be engaged in dealing with.

Posted by pete173 (# 4622) on :

Indeed, I abolished the role in Willesden after consulting with the women clergy. Then we brought it back because there were no women in the staff team. It doesn't cost in London beyond a slight stipend uplift (so the "we can't afford it" canard can be laid to rest), and we do still face the glass ceiling problem.
There's still plenty more to do.

So the death of Deans of Women is probably premature. as the reports here indicate.

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