Eleven years after the admission of women to the priesthood, Anglicans in England have decided to open the way to the female episcopate. With 367 votes in favour and 127 against, the General Synod of the Church of England, meeting at York, gave the go-ahead to the process of removing the legal obstacles that currently prevent women from gaining access to the episcopate. “I think there are good theological and ecclesiological reasons in favour of women bishops”, declared Tom Butler, bishop of Southwark. Satisfaction was also expressed by Christina Rees, chairwoman of the organization WATCH (Women and the Church): “further delaying this decision would have caused the loss of one of the most precious resources of the church: that constituted by dedicated, faithful women, rich in gifts and in experience”. Voices in opposition were also raised, it goes without saying; they have formulated the request that provision be made for separated dioceses for those who cannot accept women bishops as the necessary requisite to prevent the schism of the church. Questioned by SIR, the spokesman of the Anglican Communion, Jim Rosenthal, in York to monitor the work of the Synod, explained that the discussion on the possibility of opening the episcopate to women will last for years and at least a further two years will be needed before any firm decision is reached.
