CoE approval debate on women bishops delayed

Published on 10/07/2012 02:38

The Church of England has voted to put a historic decision on introducing the first women bishops on hold amid continuing divisions over the issue.

Members of the General Synod backed delaying a final approval debate for legislation introducing women bishops to allow for further consideration of a controversial last-minute amendment made by the Church of England bishops.

The move comes after protests from senior female clergy who said the amendment would have enshrined discrimination against women in the law.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, warned the meeting at York University that an adjournment would not be a “panacea” but would give a chance to “lower the temperature” within the Church of England over the dispute.

“It is quite clear that the reaction cannot be ignored. When there is a reaction of real hurt and offence, Christians, and Christian pastors in particular, cannot afford to ignore it.”

He added: “An adjournment gives us at least the chance of explaining ourselves to each other.”