General Synod tries to smooth path for first woman bishop
By Jonathan Petre,
Religion Correspondent
(Filed: 08/02/2006)

The Church of England edged closer to consecrating its first woman bishop yesterday despite unease at proposals to minimise divisions on the issue.

After a three-hour debate, the General Synod agreed to "take note" of a report by a House of Bishops working party intended to smooth the path towards women bishops and archbishops by making concessions to opponents.

But in a foretaste of the battle to come, speakers on both sides of the debate said that the proposals could increase disunity, institutionalise sexism and damage the Church's image.
The divisions are expected to become sharper during another debate tomorrow in which the Synod will have to decide how to proceed over the next six months.

Under the proposals, drawn up by a working party headed by the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Christopher Hill, all bishops' posts would become legally open to women, possibly by as early as 2012. The rest