The General Synod of the Church of England has today given its final approval for women to become bishops in the Church of England.
The vote in the General Synod on the measure was carried by the required two-thirds majority in the three constituent parts of the Synod: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity.
The voting results were as follows:
| House | Yes | No | Abstentions |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bishops | 37 | 2 | 1 |
| House of Clergy | 162 | 25 | 4 |
| House of Laity | 152 | 45 | 5 |
This means the first woman bishop could potentially be appointed by the end of the year.
The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, said:
"General Synod has voted for a very good way forward for the whole Church. The path is now open for the ministry of women bishops but there is also a honoured place for those who have hesitations. The tone of the debate was remarkably constructive and as one of our own London delegation said, ‘we must now win the peace’."
(Image credit: Keith Blundy | CofE.)
