Church facing split over women bishops

The Church of England faces a split over women bishops after compromise proposals by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury were rejected by the General Synod in York.

Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu intervened in an attempt to stop thousands of Anglican opponents of female bishops defecting to the Roman Catholic Church.

The archbishops' proposals were backed by a majority of the houses of bishops and laity of the General Synod.

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But the concessions narrowly failed to win the crucial majority of the House of Clergy, meaning that they were lost.

The proposals were a response to warnings from traditionalists that they cannot accept the authority of women bishops, and could not stay in the Church without a "get out" clause to protect their consciences.

If accepted, women bishops would have retained their authority in principle, but in practice traditionalist churchmen would have been given the option of serving under acceptable male bishops.

Critics feared the proposals were misguided and would undermine the status of women.

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Dr Williams earlier insisted that the concessions did not represent a "loyalty" test to himself and Dr Sentamu.

Earlier, the General Synod heard impassioned speeches both in favour and against the archbishops' proposals.

A spokesman for the Catholic Group on General Synod, Martin Dales, who lives in Old Malton, said it was deeply regretted the vote had gone against the church's own leaders.

He added: "By rejecting the opportunity for unity that the amendments they proposed would have achieved, it has made it very difficult for those who in conscience cannot accept the ministry for women priests and bishops."

General Synod members are to resume debating draft legislation on women bishops today.

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