The Church of England voted on Monday to allow women to become bishops, a historic decision which overturns centuries of tradition in a Church that Church of England votes ‘yes’ to
women bishops been deeply divided over the issue.
Two years ago, a similar proposal failed narrowly due opposition from traditionalist lay members, to the dismay of modernisers, the
Church hierarchy and politicians.
But after a five-hour debate on Monday, the
General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England, voted overwhelmingly in favour of an amended plan at its meeting in the northern English city of York.
“Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years ago with the ordination of women as priests. I am delighted with today’s result,” said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans.
“Today marks the start of a great adventure of
seeking mutual flourishing while still, in some
cases, disagreeing.”
The issue over women bishops has caused
internal division since the Synod approved female priests in 1992.
It has pitted reformers, keen to project a more
modern image of the Church as it struggles with
falling congregations in many increasingly secular countries, against a conservative minority which says the change contradicts the Bible.
FIRST FEMALE BISHOP
Women serve as bishops in the United States,
Australia, Canada and New Zealand but Anglican
churches in many developing countries do not
ordain them as priests.
Welby has said the first female bishop could be
named early next year.
“This is a watershed moment for the Church of
England and a huge step forward in making our
society fairer,” Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said.
“Allowing women to become bishops is another
long overdue step towards gender equality in
senior positions.”
The 2012 vote was rejected by the Synod, with the bishops and the clergy in favour and opposition from lay members denying the two-thirds majority needed in all three houses to pass.
The Church’s response was to set up a committee to find common ground and its new proposals won widespread acceptance in the Synod in November last year.
The plan will create an independent official who
could intervene when traditionalist parishes
complain about a bishop’s authority, as well as
guidelines for parishes whose congregations
reject women’s ministry.
Critics say ordaining women bishops would break with the tradition of a male-only clergy dating back to the Twelve Apostles, while supporters argue it is a matter of equality.
“While we are deeply concerned about the
consequences for the wider unity of the whole
Church, we remain committed to working
together with all in the Church of England to
further the mission of the Church to the nation,”
said Simon Killwick, chairman of the Synod’s
Catholic Group, which opposed the move.
Bishops are senior managers in Christian
churches that uphold the episcopal tradition
because only they can ordain priests and assure
the continuation of the clergy.
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