Anglican Church in crisis after women bill

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

The Archbishops Sentamu (L), and Rowan Williams are seen at a meeting. REUTERS photo

The Church of England held an emergency session yesterday after a vote rejecting the appointment of women bishops that exposed bitter divisions in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The meeting of senior bishops in London came a day after the General Synod, the church’s governing body, narrowly voted against the move following years of wrangling between traditionalists and liberals.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu said there would be women bishops “in my lifetime,” but added that the church needed to find legislation to push through what would be its biggest change since allowing female priests 20 years ago.

The church will in theory not be able to even discuss the plans again for years, but a group of core bishops could give special permission to revive them as early as February. Around a third of the clergy in the Church of England are women.