The Church of England is facing growing pressure to rip up its rulebook to allow the ordination of women bishops.Culture Secretary and Minister for Equalities Maria Miller and former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton have added their voices to those demanding urgent reformation of the church’s internal policies.
Allowing women to become bishops was narrowly defeated in a vote by the church’s governing body, the General Synod, on Tuesday, despite overwhelming approval from many of its members.
Female bishops were approved by the majority of dioceses, bishops and clergy, but were rejected by the laity. Ms Miller told The Guardian it was “extraordinary” and “very disappointing” that the vote had failed, and urged the church to examine its “procedures and processes” and why its decision had not reflected the views of its members.
She told the newspaper: “If you’re going to tackle the problem, I think the church needs to be answering some of the questions as to why their system works the way it does, and are they really happy that it’s reflective of the views of their membership.