The Church of England’s recent General Synod resulted in an historic vote taking place, which sets in motion the process for women to be able to take up positions in the Church as bishops. However, for such a significant result the whole event has seemed to have been very toned down.
The Church of England Synod, which met in York were reported as being very much silent as the vote was read out. Overall, the result revealed a 3:1 proportion in favour of beginning the processes and legislation to bring about the fundamental change in the Church.
Women outside the Hall where the result was read, however, were ecstatic and declared their joy openly.
Christina Rees, of Women and the Church group commented that the decision was historic, and affirmed the service that women have carried out as priests over the past 11 years.
Ress was reported as saying, "We will look back at July 11 2005 and wonder why it took us so long."
However, the change that seems to be coming about in the Church is fundamental in nature. The Anglican Church has historically followed the traditions of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in the way that only male priests were allowed to be ordained.
The authority given to a bishop as a teacher and leader to guide other Christians has been something fundamental to the all denominations, and now the issue has seen two separate views formed in which the Anglican Church seems to be split on.
The traditional Catholic side of the Anglican Church has taken a more exalted view of priesthood generally, and the significance of bishops in particular, reported BBC news.
