The Church of England’s General Synod has voted overwhelmingly in favour of women bishops exactly a year after previous legislation was brought down by traditionalists.
Members of all three strands of the Synod – bishops, clergy and laity – gave strong support to a new measure in its first formal consideration by the Church’s governing body.
In an initial test of opinion, only eight members voted against with 378 in favour and 25 abstentions. A further, more formal vote, was due to take place later.
It marks a dramatic turnaround in just a year described by one bishop as “nothing short of miraculous”.
During the debate at Church House in London one leading women cleric warned that the failure to agree the issue in the past made them simply look “weird”. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Wednesday, November 20, 2013
