Church of England says yes to women bishops

Women can now become bishops following an historic vote by the Church of England's General Synod on 14th July. 

Following a day of debate at the General Synod meeting in York on the issue of women in the episcopate, at least two thirds majority of each house - laity, clergy and bishops - voted in favour of the measure to pass.

The General Synod voted in favour in all three houses as follows:

Bishops: 37 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention.

Clergy: 162 in favour, 25 against, 4 abstentions.

Laity: 152 in favour, against 45, 5 abstentions.

This means the first woman bishop could potentially be appointed by the end of the year. It also means that the Church of England joins 20 other Provinces or Extra-Provincial dioceses that allow women bishops.

Before the vote, the Archbishop of York John Sentamu asked for the result to be met "with restraint and sensitivity" but when it was announced there was a flurry of cheers.

Today’s vote comes 18 months after the proposal was last voted upon in November 2012 when the proposal failed to achieve the required two thirds majority in the House of Laity.

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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:

“Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years with the ordination of women as priests. I am delighted with today's result. Today marks the start of a great adventure of seeking mutual flourishing while still, in some cases disagreeing.

The challenge for us will be for the church to model good disagreement and to continue to demonstrate love for those who disagree on theological grounds. Very few institutions achieve this, but if we manage this we will be living our more fully the call of Jesus Christ to love one another. As delighted as I am for the outcome of this vote, I am also mindful of those within the Church for whom the result will be difficult and a cause of sorrow.

My aim, and I believe the aim of the whole church, should be to be able to offer a place of welcome and growth for all. Today is a time of blessing and gift from God and thus of generosity. It is not winner take all, but in love a time for the family to move on together.”

Following the vote, the measure moves to the Legislative Committee of General Synod and then to the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Houses of Parliament where the legislation will be considered. Subject to Parliamentary approval the measure will return to the General Synod in November of this year where it will come into force after its promulgation (legal formal announcement).

This vote follows a process which began at the 2013 July Synod, which created a steering committee on women bishops, chaired by the Bishop of Rochester James Langstaff, with a mandate to draw up a package of new proposals. Bishop James opened the debate on behalf of the steering committee and responded to the debate urging synod members to vote for the proposals.

The Church of England is the mother church of the global Anglican Communion, followed by some 80 million people in over 165 countries.

There are already Anglican women bishops in countries such as the United States and Australia.

While a yes vote would not force Anglican churches in other countries to allow women bishops, senior clergy say it would send a powerful message which should prompt others to follow.

Provinces and extra-provincial dioceses that have serving women bishops

Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Australia, Canada, The Episcopal Church, Cuba (extra-provincial diocese), Southern Africa, Ireland, South India

Provinces that allow women bishops but haven’t elected or appointed any to date

Bangladesh, Brazil, Central America, Japan, Mexico, North India, Philippines, Scotland, Sudan, Tanzania, Wales.

Provinces that don’t allow women bishops

Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, England, Indian Ocean, Jerusalem and the Middle East, Kenya, Korea, Melanesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, South East Asia, Southern Cone, Uganda, West Indies, West Africa, Hong Kong.

(ACNS /TCT)