Church of England to debate women bishops

By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
07/07/2008

Members of the Church of England's ruling body will today stage an epic eight-hour debate on the introduction of women bishops after 13 new versions of the controversial proposal were put forward.

Leading bishops, clergy and lay members of the General Synod representing both traditionalists and liberal viewpoints have all tabled amendments to the motion that will allow women into the episcopate.

Some are calling for new "men only" dioceses or a class of "super bishop" to cater for those who object to female bishops, while others argue that the legislation should be passed without any special provisions for opponents of the historic step.

More than 1,000 clergy have already signed a letter threatening to leave the church if legal safeguards are not brought in for those who do not want to be led by a woman bishop, while some supporters of the move say it should not be brought in if it would mean a two-tier system.
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