19/11/2012

CoE To Vote On Women Bishops

The General Synod of the Church of England will meet this week to vote on whether to allow women to become bishops.

The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, his successor the Rt Rev Justin Welby and a majority of church members support the measure, but strong opposition from traditionalists and a complicated voting system means the outcome is uncertain.

It comes 20 years after the Church decided to ordain women as priests.

The Church of England's national assembly, meeting in Church House, London, will hold a series of votes in what is being seen as the first major test for the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Bishop of Durham Justin Welby is expected to speak in Tuesday's debate, urging the Synod to support the change.

Among the initial group of women to be ordained in 1994 was Frances Ward, who is now Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and one of the most senior women in the Church of England. She is impatient for change.

"The time now is right and we really do need to take this step. Our credibility will be shot through if we don't pass this on Tuesday," she said.

(H)




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