Church of England approves women bishops in historic vote

YORK, UNITED KINGDOM: The Church of England overcame bitter divisions Monday to vote in favour of allowing female bishops for the first time in its nearly 500-year history.

The decision reverses a previous shock rejection in 2012 and comes after intensive diplomacy by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Cheers erupted in the hall at the Church of England General Synod in York, northern England, as the measure passed.

The first women bishops could now be appointed before the end of the year.

The Church of England is the mother church of the global Anglican Communion, followed by some 80 million people in over 165 countries.

Welby, a former oil executive who has staked his authority pressed for the appointment of women bishops since being named to the Church's top post in November 2012, said he was "delighted" by the result.

"Today marks the start of a great adventure of seeking mutual flourishing while still, in some cases disagreeing," he said.

The results came in a series of three votes across different houses of the Church.

The House of Bishops voted 37 for, two against with one abstention and the House of Clergy voted 162 for, 25 against with four abstentions.

The House of Laity -- whose shock no vote in 2012 derailed the entire project -- this time voted 152 in favour, 45 against with five abstentions.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Welby had "shown great leadership on this issue".

He later wrote on Twitter that he "warmly welcomed" the vote, calling it "a great day for the Church and for equality".

The issue must now be debated by Britain's parliament, approved by Queen Elizabeth II and then go back to the General Synod in November as a formality before taking effect.

Around 150 supporters congregated outside the hall to celebrate the result, hugging each other to the sound of popping champagne corks.

Female priest Lindsay Southern called the news "absolutely fantastic."

"I was so impressed with the graciousness and the generosity of spirit in the debate," she told AFP. "I feel like I just want to sit down with a quiet cup of tea."

A yes vote does not compel Anglican churches in other countries to allow women bishops, but senior clergy say it sets a symbolic precedent that other nations would be likely to follow.

There are already Anglican women bishops in other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.

The principle of appointing women bishops had been strongly opposed by conservatives in the Church of England.

But many said they had been persuaded to support the current package of proposals due to assurances that their views would continue to be respected and they would not be forced to be ministered to by a female bishop.

Welby's de facto number two, Archbishop of York John Sentamu, had hinted at the frustration among top clergy over how long it has taken to resolve the issue as he opened the debate.

"This is the third time in two years we have embarked on a final approval debate on women bishops -- you ought by now to be getting the hang of it," he joked.

Emma Ineson, principal of a theological college in Bristol, southwest England, had earlier told the hall how her female students had been "dismayed, confused, discouraged" by the 2012 no vote.

Women priests were first ordained in 1994 and the Church of England has been debating whether they should be allowed to be bishops in earnest since 2000.

They currently make up around a third of the clergy.

The Church of England broke with the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th Century over King Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.