Women Bishops Approved By Church Of England

The Church of England has voted to allow women bishops for first time in its history.

The decision, taken by the General Synod in York, reverses a previous rejection in 2012.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said: "Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years ago with the ordination of women as priests.

"I am delighted with today's result. Today marks the start of a great adventure."

The issue over whether women should be allowed to become bishops has caused internal division since the Synod approved female priests in 1992.

The latest decision, approved in all three houses of the church's governing body, followed a five-hour debate.

Women bishops could now be appointed by the end of this year in the Church of England.

Reverend Lindsay Southern, from the parish of Catterick with Tunstall, North Yorkshire, said she had not really believed it could happen.

The decision reverses a previous rejection in 2012

"We are ecstatic, we are so pleased, it's been a really long journey but we were so pleased with the graciousness of the Synod debate," she said.

"To be at this point is really wonderful, I don't think any of us really expected that it really would go through. We're very relieved, very joyful, and I really want to go and hug a bishop."

One vote saw 37 bishops in favour, two against and one abstention. Another ended with 162 clergy in favour, 25 against and four abstentions. And in the crucial lay vote there were 152 in favour, 45 against and five abstentions.

In 2012 the introduction of female bishops was derailed by just six votes cast by lay members.

Archbishop Welby staked his authority on the new proposals and promised traditionalists he would commit to meeting their needs should they pass them.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, said it was a "momentous day".

He said: "Generations of women have served the Lord faithfully in the Church of England for centuries. It is a moment of joy today: the office of Bishop is open to them."

All three houses of the Synod approved women bishops

Women bishops are already in office in places such as the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The news was welcomed by Prime Minister David Cameron.

"I warmly welcome today's vote formally approving women bishops - a great day for the Church and for equality," he tweeted.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband also gave the thumbs up, but not all church conservatives were convinced.

Chik Kaw Tan, a lay member from the Lichfield Diocese, said: "The very same arguments that are being used to promote women in the episcopate are the very same arguments that are being used to redefine marriage from that which is between a man and a woman to two persons of the same sex."

The plan will create an independent official who could intervene when traditionalist parishes complain about a bishop's authority, as well as guidelines for parishes whose congregations reject women's ministry.

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