Catholics warn C of E over women bishops
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
(Filed: 23/11/2005)

The Roman Catholic Church has issued a scathing critique of Church of England plans to admit women bishops, warning that the reform would "radically" impair their relations.

In an official paper, the Catholic bishops said that consecrating women was "a tremendous and intolerable risk" that could cause "irreparable damage", both within and outside the Anglican Church.

It said that while the Church of England was free to do as it wanted, such a step was at odds with the "texts and spirit" of recent statements on unity drawn up between the two Churches.

While the Catholic Church's opposition to women priests and bishops is well known, the blunt tone of the 10-page document will disappoint the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Story