Women Bishops Backed By Church Ruling Body

The Church of England is facing controversy over its decision to throw out compromise proposals over women bishops.

The Church of England's ruling General Synod has voted to consecrate women as bishops but has also approved a code of practise aimed at reassuring opponents.

The synod rejected compromise proposals for new "super bishops" to cater for objectors and their preferred option of creating new dioceses.

The bishops voted in favour of bringing forward legislation to ordain women bishops by 28-12 with one abstention. The clergy voted in favour by 124 to 44 with four abstentions and the Laity by 111 to 68 with two abstentions.

The Bishop of Gloucester, Right Rev Michael Francis Perham, said: "This Synod affirm the wish of its majority is for women to be admitted to the episcopate" and "affirm its view that special arrangements be available, within the existing structures of the Church of England, for those who as a matter of theological conviction will not be able to receive the ministry of women as bishops or priests".

The decision came after more than six hours of deliberation, which saw dramatic scenes, with one bishop reportedly in tears.

The Bishop of Dover, Steven Venner, told delegates that "for the first time I feel ashamed".

"We have talked for hours about wanting to give an honourable place for those who disagree. We have turned down almost every realistic opportunity for those opposed to flourish. And we still talk the talk of being inclusive and generous," he said.

Up to 1,300 clergy have threatened to leave the Church if safeguards were not agreed to reassure objectors.

A lay delegate suggested that some traditionalists may now consider breaking away from the Church of England to join more conservative or evangelical provinces abroad.

Conservatives who oppose the liberalisation of Church teaching on issues such as homosexuality have already launched the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FoCA) which has promised to set up their own council of bishops.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams said he would be "deeply unhappy" with any "scheme or any solution" to this which ends up "structurally humiliating women who might be nominated to the episcopate".

Women in the Church, which supports female ordination, had said that "any compromise allowing traditionalists to go to super-bishops" instead of female bishops would create "second-class clergy and institutionalise division".

Christina Rees, chairwoman of Women and the Church said: "It's very good for the Church and very good for women and also good for the whole nation."

The first women priests in the Church of England were ordained in 1994.

The Episcopal Church in Scotland has already cleared the way for ordaining women bishops.

Anglican provinces in Canada, New Zealand and Australia have already begun consecrating women bishops.

(DS)