Anglican Communion News Service

Rt Rev Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, spoke in favour of the legislation to enable women to be bishops at the General Synod today, as many spoke alternately in favour and against.

"The ministry of women priests,” Bishop Justin told the Synod, “has been powerful in all areas of the church except as part of the episcopacy.”

“It is time to finish the job and vote for this measure. But also the Church of England needs to show how to develop the mission of the church in a way that demonstrates that we can manage diversity of view without division; diversity in amity, not diversity in enmity,” he said.

“This approach that we have before us today is I believe, after much discussion with many people, as good as we can get. . . our will and intention are far more important than the rules.

“I am personally deeply committed, and believe that fellow bishops are also, to ensuring, as far as I am able, that what we promise today and later in the Code of Practice is carried out faithfully in Spirit as well as in letter.”

A vote is expected later this afternoon, after which, if the legislation is approved, a second vote will be required on Draft Amending Canon No 30 to bring the change into Canon Law, which would be required before a woman could be consecrated as a bishop.

Further information:   Steve Jenkins   tel  020 7898 1326