BBC: Church votes backs women bishops

Monday, 7 July 2008

The Church of England's ruling body, the General Synod, has voted to confirm the ordination of women bishops.

But a national code of practice to accommodate traditionalists was also approved by the Synod, which was meeting in York.

BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggot said the code would set out as-yet unspecified safeguards.

Some 1,300 clergy had threatened to leave the Church if safeguards were not agreed to reassure traditionalists. the rest

Timesonline:
Church of England votes to ordain women bishops
Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent

The Church of England decided tonight to ordain women bishops with minimal concessions to protect opponents, despite the threat of a mass exodus of traditionalist clergy.

The bishops voted in favour of bringing forward legislation to ordain women bishops by 28 to 12. The clergy voted in favour by 124 to 44 and the Laity by 111 to 68.

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