THE CHURCH of England stands "divided against itself" following the general synod's decision in favour of consecrating women bishops while making only limited concessions to traditionalist opponents. Bishops, clergy and laity backed the historic decision and approved work on a national statutory code intended to accommodate those who believe that the Bible requires bishops be male.
After more than six hours of anguished debate synod members rejected a proposal to create "super-bishops" to cater for objectors similar to the "flying bishops" previously appointed to minister to opponents of women priests.
The archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams - who had earlier counselled against the "marginalisation" of Anglo-Catholics in the church - held his head in his hands as the vote was declared against the proposal for "super- bishops" and an option allowing objectors to create new dioceses.
Despite backing for the compromise proposal also from the archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the synod result will instead see the "flying bishops" also disappear, with parishes no longer able to opt into their care.
The bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, said the outcome was "a muddle" and that the general synod should have "pulled" Monday night's debate on women bishops. "We had a debate in the House of Bishops in May and we reached the same kind of muddle that we had [on Monday]," he said yesterday. "We should have pulled that debate there and then. It was the wrong time."
In the synod debate, Dr Wright had likened the working relationship between various bodies within the Anglican Communion to "a slow-moving train wreck".
Leading Anglo-Catholic Fr David Houlding said the situation was "going downhill very badly". The former archdeacon of York, the Ven George Austin, left in tears after watching the debate, saying he would remain in the church but only because he was now retired.
Christina Rees, chair of the pro-ordination group Women and the Church (Watch), welcomed the decision to consecrate women as bishops 30 years after the debate first began, saying: "It is good for the church and is good for women and good for the whole nation."
However, the Rt Rev Stephen Venner, bishop of Dover, was among those favouring women bishops who were also dismayed by the rejection of the "super bishops" compromise. He felt "ashamed" that the synod had failed to fully recognise the needs of traditionalists and that this decision denied objectors the opportunity to "flourish" within the church.
Dr Williams had said he favoured "a more rather than a less robust" means of accommodating traditionalists.
Despite this week's decision, the processes of the church mean it could be at least 2014 before a woman bishop is installed.
The legislative drafting group tasked with accommodating objectors on grounds of religious conscience is expected to present its proposals to the general synod next February, while another revision stage could continue until February 2010. A majority of diocesan synods will then need to approve the proposed legislation, with further consideration by the general synod in 2011 or 2012.
Reuters adds: The Vatican yesterday strongly criticised the Church of England's plan to ordain women bishops, describing it as a historic break from Christian doctrine that will drive Anglicans and Catholics further apart.
"For the future, this decision will have consequences for dialogue, which until now had borne much fruit," the Vatican office for promoting Christian unity said in a statement.
"Such a decision is a break with apostolic tradition maintained in all of the churches in the first millennium, and is therefore a further obstacle for reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England."
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