Go-ahead for women bishops expected this time around

The General Synod of the Church of England is expected to give the go-ahead for women bishops next month in a decision described by William Fittall, the secretary general, as “the most important for the past 20 years”, writes Ruth Gledhill.

Referring to the previous vote on women priests, he said: “Not since 11 November 1992 has the future of the Church of England turned so sharply on a single vote.”

He acknowledged that even supporters of women bishops had reservations about the length, complexity and provisions for ­traditionalists and conservative evangelicals opposed to women bishops in the previous legislation, which failed by six votes in November 2012.

The Bishop of Fulham, Jonathan Baker, chairman of Forward in Faith, acknowledged the commitment to “pastoral and sacramental provision” for Anglo-Catholics in the bishops’ declaration accompanying the new, simplified measure. The declaration affirms “the importance of there continuing to be consecrations of bishops within the Church of England to enable such ministry to be provided”.