The Archbishop of Canterbury had better get his skates on. Because if he's not
careful that bastion of illiberality - the Catholic Church - will steal a
march on the Anglicans in its attitude to women. I refer of course to the suggestion that Pope Francis may be about to usher in the first female cardinals.
It's hard to over-state how momentous such a change would be. No woman has sat
in the Holy See's papal conclave since cardinals were given the job of
electing the pope in the 12th century. It would mean that in theory, a woman
could become Pope. And there's even talk that an Irish feminist, Professor
Linda Hogan (pictured above), could be in line for the honour.
This is proof perhaps that Pope Francis is turning out to be a liberal. He's
insisted on the importance of women being "at the centre of Christianity".
And he's proved remarkably progressive in other areas too, reaching out to
the poor (unlike, some say, the Prada Pope who preceded him) and condemning "malice
in speech or in action" against gays.
So the pressure now is on the Anglican Church to get its act together on
women.
This time last year, the motion to allow female bishops was lost.
A measure before the Synod was sanctioned by the bishops and clergy but ditched by members of the laity.
It was an outcome which dismayed Archbishop Justin Welby, and Anglican reformers now want him to use every ounce of his authority to get the decision overturned.
This time last year, the motion to allow female bishops was lost.
A measure before the Synod was sanctioned by the bishops and clergy but ditched by members of the laity.
It was an outcome which dismayed Archbishop Justin Welby, and Anglican reformers now want him to use every ounce of his authority to get the decision overturned.
The Church of England's General Synod is considering new laws to get the vote
the Archbishop wanted a year ago.
The difference is that the traditionalists have been given some reassurances and safeguards to persuade them to back the change.
And there are certain signs that things are moving in the right direction.
The traditionalist Catholic Group on the General Synod has observed that a "spirit of reconciliation and trust" is emerging, and the reforming Women and the Church is predictably enthusiastic about the new move.
It wouldn't need many in the House of Laity to change their minds to see the first women don the bishop's mitre.
However, it is important to note that a cardinal is not a clerical post, unlike a bishop. You don't have to be a clergywoman to be a cardinal.
And it's surely an urgent priority for the Church of England, which has been wrangling over this issue for decades now - put to shame around the world by others in the Anglican Communion who have elected women bishops - 27 of them in fact.
And all the while church attendance continues to fall. It does make you think twice about a weekly act of devotion to an institution which embeds sexism at the very top.
It was always assumed that the Church of England would blaze a trail for the Catholics. But how humiliating if the reverse proves to be the case!
Of course, it could well be that we're all getting carried away with ourselves. A senior Vatican Spokesman told the Irish Times that the idea of women cardinals any time soon was "just nonsense".
There are many who believe the speculation will end up being just that. Catholic Tory MP Therese Coffey told me: "I'm not an advocate of women priests in the Catholic Church.
Previous edicts have been clear so I am surprised by the speculation."
Nevertheless, she says women still have a key part to play. "The Church should seek to involve all people, including taking advice and giving responsibility to women."
And while the notion of Pope Francis as an unexpected liberal is a neat story, it might not quite be borne out by the facts.
Greg Reynolds, an Australian priest who supports the ordination of women and same-sex marriage has just been excommunicated by the Pope.
The official letter justifying the decision explained that it was "because of his public teaching on the ordination of women contrary to the teaching of the Church".
If this is a false dawn for Catholicism then, the Anglicans in this country have an opportunity.
They should seize it.
The difference is that the traditionalists have been given some reassurances and safeguards to persuade them to back the change.
And there are certain signs that things are moving in the right direction.
The traditionalist Catholic Group on the General Synod has observed that a "spirit of reconciliation and trust" is emerging, and the reforming Women and the Church is predictably enthusiastic about the new move.
It wouldn't need many in the House of Laity to change their minds to see the first women don the bishop's mitre.
However, it is important to note that a cardinal is not a clerical post, unlike a bishop. You don't have to be a clergywoman to be a cardinal.
And it's surely an urgent priority for the Church of England, which has been wrangling over this issue for decades now - put to shame around the world by others in the Anglican Communion who have elected women bishops - 27 of them in fact.
And all the while church attendance continues to fall. It does make you think twice about a weekly act of devotion to an institution which embeds sexism at the very top.
It was always assumed that the Church of England would blaze a trail for the Catholics. But how humiliating if the reverse proves to be the case!
Of course, it could well be that we're all getting carried away with ourselves. A senior Vatican Spokesman told the Irish Times that the idea of women cardinals any time soon was "just nonsense".
There are many who believe the speculation will end up being just that. Catholic Tory MP Therese Coffey told me: "I'm not an advocate of women priests in the Catholic Church.
Previous edicts have been clear so I am surprised by the speculation."
Nevertheless, she says women still have a key part to play. "The Church should seek to involve all people, including taking advice and giving responsibility to women."
And while the notion of Pope Francis as an unexpected liberal is a neat story, it might not quite be borne out by the facts.
Greg Reynolds, an Australian priest who supports the ordination of women and same-sex marriage has just been excommunicated by the Pope.
The official letter justifying the decision explained that it was "because of his public teaching on the ordination of women contrary to the teaching of the Church".
If this is a false dawn for Catholicism then, the Anglicans in this country have an opportunity.
They should seize it.