Church of England divided on women bishops

The Church of England is facing a tough debate on women bishops at next month's General Synod.

One Synod member told The Church of England Newspaper on condition of anonymity, that 10 per cent of the Church could set up their own structures and consecrate their own bishops if Synod approves a motion that seeks to replace the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 with a 'code of practice'. That Act promised that alternative provision would be made for those opposed to women bishops on grounds of conscience.

Although the motion, put together by the House of Bishops, promises 'special arrangements' for opponents of women bishops, the Synod member told the newspaper that passing the motion un-amended would amount to "taking a wrecking ball to the Church of England".

He added that the July Synod, taking place in York, would be "bloody" and urged the House of Bishops to seriously reconsider their position.

The conservative Anglo-Catholic group, Forward in Faith, has dismissed the possibility of a 'code of practice' as "unacceptable".

The evangelical group within the Church of England, Reform, said that a 'code of practice' would "marginalise those who take the traditional view of Church leadership". The group is encouraging opponents to sign petitions expressing their opposition.

A spokesman for the House of Bishops told the newspaper: "Next month's something of a watershed in that they will, for the first time, give the Synod the opportunity to come to a view on the underlying approach that it wishes to take to the legislation."

He added, however, that the motion at Synod was merely "a starting point for discussion".