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Women bishops: Church of England synod to vote Women bishops: Church of England synod to vote
(35 minutes later)
The Church of England's governing general synod is due to vote on whether to allow women to become bishops.The Church of England's governing general synod is due to vote on whether to allow women to become bishops.
A plan paving the way for consecrations from 2014 is expected to be backed by bishops and clergy, but the vote among lay members could be much closer. Bishops and clergy are expected to achieve the necessary two-thirds majorities in favour, but the lay members' vote could be tight.
Twenty years after the introduction of women priests, the issue continues to split traditionalists and liberals.Twenty years after the introduction of women priests, the issue continues to split traditionalists and liberals.
Before the vote, the synod will debate the latest compromise for parishes that do not want a woman bishop. The synod is debating the legislation, including the latest compromise for parishes that oppose women bishops.
The vote is being seen as the first major test for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Justin Welby. The current bishop of Durham is expected to speak during the debate and urge the synod to support the introduction of women bishops.The vote is being seen as the first major test for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Justin Welby. The current bishop of Durham is expected to speak during the debate and urge the synod to support the introduction of women bishops.
Approval is also supported by the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, who has warned of turmoil in the Church if the change is voted down.Approval is also supported by the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, who has warned of turmoil in the Church if the change is voted down.
If backed by the synod, the legislation would then make its way through Parliament and could lead to the first women bishops being ordained by 2014.
Simon Barrow, co-director of the Christian think tank Ekklesia, said the Church would look foolish if it rejected the move now.Simon Barrow, co-director of the Christian think tank Ekklesia, said the Church would look foolish if it rejected the move now.
"It's inevitable that it will happen and it was inevitable from the moment the Church of England decided to ordain women as priests," he said."It's inevitable that it will happen and it was inevitable from the moment the Church of England decided to ordain women as priests," he said.
"So it's only a question really of when it will happen. If it doesn't happen now, the Church is going to look desperately embarrassed.""So it's only a question really of when it will happen. If it doesn't happen now, the Church is going to look desperately embarrassed."
It is nearly 20 years since the first women priests were ordained in the Church of England.It is nearly 20 years since the first women priests were ordained in the Church of England.
Many thought it was only a matter of time before opposition faded away and women bishops would naturally follow.Many thought it was only a matter of time before opposition faded away and women bishops would naturally follow.
But the theological divisions between liberals and conservative evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics are as deep as ever, and these last two groupings, both against women bishops, are growing in numbers and influence.But the theological divisions between liberals and conservative evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics are as deep as ever, and these last two groupings, both against women bishops, are growing in numbers and influence.
Their concerns centre round provisions in the proposed legislation to allow opposing parishes the supervision of a sympathetic stand-in male bishop - which, they say, aren't strong enough.Their concerns centre round provisions in the proposed legislation to allow opposing parishes the supervision of a sympathetic stand-in male bishop - which, they say, aren't strong enough.
If the measure does get passed, then women bishops could be consecrated by 2014. If not, it will be back to the drawing board and there will be no new legislation on women bishops for about five years.If the measure does get passed, then women bishops could be consecrated by 2014. If not, it will be back to the drawing board and there will be no new legislation on women bishops for about five years.
Women now make up about a third of all clergy in the Church of England.Women now make up about a third of all clergy in the Church of England.
But lay member Emma Forward said that a vote in favour of women bishops would "go against the Church and the future of the Church". But Canon Simon Killwick, leader of the Catholic group in the synod, insisted that the measure before it was "not fit for purpose".
"We're looking for really constructive ways to work forwards, and this legislation that we have in front of us doesn't offer that. And that's why a 'no' vote is essential," she said. He said in the dabte that the compromise wording on provision for opponents of women bishops was "no compromise at all, because it has united against it the whole spectrum of traditionalists."
A three-day meeting of the synod began at Church House in Westminster on Monday.A three-day meeting of the synod began at Church House in Westminster on Monday.
Approval requires two-thirds majorities in each of the synod's three houses: bishops, clergy and laity.Approval requires two-thirds majorities in each of the synod's three houses: bishops, clergy and laity.
If the measure is approved, the legislation will go to Parliament before receiving royal assent.If the measure is approved, the legislation will go to Parliament before receiving royal assent.
However, if it is defeated, the legislative process will need to start again and another vote would not take place before 2019.However, if it is defeated, the legislative process will need to start again and another vote would not take place before 2019.
The current process of formulating legislation to introduce women bishops began in 2000.The current process of formulating legislation to introduce women bishops began in 2000.
The arrangements for instances when a female bishop is appointed but traditionalist parishes reject her authority have proved a stumbling block to its approval.The arrangements for instances when a female bishop is appointed but traditionalist parishes reject her authority have proved a stumbling block to its approval.
RewordingRewording
Under the plans, a woman bishop would delegate to a stand-in male bishop, but traditionalists want to be sure he would be sympathetic to their views - and not a supporter of women bishops - and not be getting his authority from the woman bishop.Under the plans, a woman bishop would delegate to a stand-in male bishop, but traditionalists want to be sure he would be sympathetic to their views - and not a supporter of women bishops - and not be getting his authority from the woman bishop.
A vote by the synod was adjourned in July after supporters of women bishops objected to a concession they felt went too far, by suggesting stand-in male bishops exercise their ministry in accordance with the parishes' "theological convictions".A vote by the synod was adjourned in July after supporters of women bishops objected to a concession they felt went too far, by suggesting stand-in male bishops exercise their ministry in accordance with the parishes' "theological convictions".
The legislation has since been reworded to say the male bishop should be selected in a manner that "respects" the reasons why the parish asked for him.The legislation has since been reworded to say the male bishop should be selected in a manner that "respects" the reasons why the parish asked for him.
Some Anglo-Catholics and conservative evangelicals continue to reject a deal, and a coalition of traditionalists, evangelicals and Catholics within the Church has sent a booklet to all 468 members of the synod arguing the draft measure falls short of what they need.Some Anglo-Catholics and conservative evangelicals continue to reject a deal, and a coalition of traditionalists, evangelicals and Catholics within the Church has sent a booklet to all 468 members of the synod arguing the draft measure falls short of what they need.
In a letter to the Times newspaper on Friday, signed by 327 clergy from all but one of the Church's 44 dioceses, they said backing for the draft measure would "lead irrevocably to deep fractures appearing within the Church".In a letter to the Times newspaper on Friday, signed by 327 clergy from all but one of the Church's 44 dioceses, they said backing for the draft measure would "lead irrevocably to deep fractures appearing within the Church".
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Church members, including bishops, clergy and senior laity, have signed an open letter - published in the Independent newspaper - urging the synod to vote in favour.Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Church members, including bishops, clergy and senior laity, have signed an open letter - published in the Independent newspaper - urging the synod to vote in favour.
Do you support or oppose women bishops in the Church of England? Are you a female member of the clergy? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.Do you support or oppose women bishops in the Church of England? Are you a female member of the clergy? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.