The path to equality: How the Church of England finally allowed women bishops

AS the Church of England consecrates Libby Lane as its first woman bishop, we take a look at the path to success which finally resulted in the historic move.

Libby Lane today becomes the first woman bishop in the Church of EnglandGETTY

Libby Lane today becomes the first woman bishop in the Church of England

Despite a vote by the General Synod in 1975 that there was "no fundamental objection" to the ordination of women as priests, it was not until 1992 that this was finally agreed upon.

Before that time, women were only allowed to progress as far as deacon in the Church of England.

The General Synod confirmed in 1992 that women were able to become priests but in the 22 years following – helped by parliamentary exemptions from equality laws – they were still not allowed to become bishops.

By 1994, 1,500 women deacons had been ordained as priests.

In 2005 a motion to dismantle legal obstacles to the introduction of women bishops was approved by the Synod  and by 2011 only two of the 44 English dioceses had not approved draft legislation on the issue.

However there was huge disappointment when in 2012 the legislation failed. 

Just six votes cast by lay members of the Synod were all that stood in the way of women becoming bishops.

The then-Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said that the Church of England "lost a measure of credibility" that day.

The final rubber-stamping vote on the issue in November 2014GETTY

The final rubber-stamping vote on the issue in November 2014

An historic appointment and important day for equality

David Cameron

But the Church's official law-making body finally voted in favour of female bishops in July last year, prompting cheers both inside and outside the chamber.

Speaking after the vote, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that he was "over the moon".

"I'm delighted, most of all for the women priests I know - my chaplain is a woman priest.

"If we had rejected it…it would have felt like such a kick in the teeth."

A compromise was finally found with the help of professional mediators – opponents are able to request a male bishop with an ombudsman to arbitrate in the case of conflict.

The Church of England formally adopted legislation allowing women to be ordained as bishops in November last year, the final seal of approval.

A woman weeps with joy following the decisionGETTY

A woman weeps with joy following the decision

As a result of the decision, the wording of Canon 33 was changed to read: “a man or a woman may be consecrated to the office of bishop”.

Reverend Libby Lane was chosen in December as the first woman to be ordained as a bishop.

Following her selection, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted his congratulation to her.

He said: "Congratulations to Revd Libby Lane on becoming the first woman bishop in the Church. An historic appointment and important day for equality."

The current Vicar of St Peter's, Hale, and St Elizabeth's, Ashley will become the Bishop of Stockport.

She will be consecrated in a service today at York Minster.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?