The London Diocesan Synod has today voted to approve the latest proposals to allow women to become bishops.
The Synod passed the motion by a majority in all three houses at All Souls Church, Langham Place, on proposed changes to the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure and draft Amending Canon No 33, which was referred to the dioceses by the General Synod last February.
The Measure and draft Amending Canon No 33 will now require a two-thirds majority in all three Houses (Bishops, Clergy and Laity) of General Synod at the final approval stage. If approved, the legislation would then go to Parliament for consideration by the Ecclesiastical Committee and each House of Parliament.
The voting figures in the Diocesan Synod debate were:
| House | For | Against | Abstain |
|---|---|---|---|
|
House of Bishops |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
House of Clergy |
40 |
10 |
7 |
|
House of Laity |
43 |
17 |
1 |
The approval of the Diocesan Synod depends upon the motion being carried in the Houses of Clergy and Laity.
