After a long hard battle, a historic vote in York today July 14th, during the ongoing general synod, gave women the right to be made bishops. This scraps the ban on women after a plea from the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday gave his blessing to the voting results.

The move comes 20 years after women were allowed to become priests and just 20 months after a previous attempt failed when 74 lay members voted against the proposal. The vote also means that the next Archbishop of Canterbury or York could be a woman.



Today's historic vote to allow women bishops comes 20 years after women were first allowed to become priests - and almost 40 years since The Church first accepted that there was 'no fundamental objection' to female members of the clergy.

But just two years ago the Archbishop of Canterbury suffered a body blow when a move to overturn the ban was controversially rejected.

Following the vote, MPs threatened to legislate to allow women bishops if the Synod - the church's governing body - did not do so itself.

Justin Welby had even prepared contingency plans to dissolve the Synod and call fresh elections if the vote had gone the wrong way.

But the crisis was averted by a change of mind among lay members of the Church of England.

The previous attempt in November 2012 failed when 74 lay members - Church of England activists who are not part of the clergy - voted against, preventing the required two-thirds majority to remove the ban.

Today's historic vote brings the Church of England into line with Anglican churches in North America, which have allowed women bishops since 2006.

It means the first woman might become a suffragan - or assistant - bishop early next year and her appointment could be announced before the end of the year.

The historic move was passed after receiving two thirds majority needed to get rid of the ban.

Some 37 bishops voted in favour with just two against and one abstention. A further 162 clergy were in favour, 25 against and four abstentions. In the crucial lay votes there were 152 votes in favour, 45 against and five abstentions.

Speaking in the debate the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said he would 'rejoice' if the measure was passed.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was a 'watershed moment for the Church of England and a huge step forward in making our society fairer'.

He said: 'I would like to congratulate the strong leadership that Archbishop Welby has shown on this issue.

'Allowing women to become bishops is another long overdue step towards gender equality in senior positions. I welcome the Church of England’s decision which means that women can now play a full and equal role in the important work of the Church.'

David Cameron added on Twitter: 'I warmly welcome today's vote formally approving women bishops - a great day for the Church and for equality.'

Rev Welby yesterday claimed the first woman bishop could be announced within months.

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