The Vatican has said it "regrets" the decision by the Church of England to allow the ordination of women bishops.

Members of its General Synod threw out compromise proposals on females in senior ranks.

All safeguards demanded by traditionalists were rejected.

But the Vatican warned the ruling would present a new obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

In a statement it said: "We learned with regret the news of the vote of the Church of England that opens the way to the introduction of legislation that would lead to the ordination of women bishops."

Sky News correspondent Mike McCarthy said it was a historic and significant moment for the church.

"The real test now is how many people will leave (the Church). There are certainly going to be many wrestling with their consciences," he said.

The Synod members voted to approve work on a national statutory code to accommodate those within the Church who object to women bishops.

But the Synod rejected compromise plans for new "super bishops" to cater for objectors - and also their preferred option of creating new dioceses.

The decision to go ahead with work on the code came after more than six hours of debate by the General Synod, which saw extraordinary scenes, with one bishop in tears as he spoke of being "ashamed" of the Church of England.

The Rt Rev Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who is in favour of women bishops, said: "I have to say, Synod, for the first time in my life, I feel ashamed.

"We have talked for hours about wanting to give an honourable place to those who disagree.

"We have been given opportunities for both views to flourish. We have turned down every, almost realistic opportunity for those who are opposed to flourish."

A total of 1,333 clergy have threatened to leave the Church of England if they are not given legal safeguards to set up a network of parishes that would remain under male leadership.

haha oh god. Super bishops! That would have been awesome!




That would be a shame.

Is church attendance in England in decline?

Was such a reconciliation even a realistic possibility before?

They'll show 'em who wears the dress in THIS family.

Why in God's name do women attend these churches?

Why in God's name would ANYONE (male or female) want to be clergy?

Why would any woman want to follow a religion that is so blatantly sexist? Are there any Catholics here that can try and explain the church's position on this? Is there actually a passage in Bible that says that woman can't be Bishops? Or is it a few grumpy old men that are pissed off because someone's ruined their 'Boys Club'.

And anyway...

The Catholic Church can fuck off in my opinion. Any organisation that gave tacit support to the Nazis, covered up child sex-abuse, discourages AIDS ridden countries from using condoms and discriminates against women has no right to preach morality to anyone ever.

Is there actually a passage in the bible that says Bishops should exist at all?

the position relates to the 12 apostles all being male
i'm fairly sure, going to catholic school k-8.

Look at all the fucking the clergy do.

i was raised lutheran, and i had a female pastor about ten years ago that had been practicing for probably ten years before that. what's the big deal? let's look away when priests molest children, but by God we can't have those inferior women become clergy

good question. i guess because religion unjustifably gets a free pass on hypocrisy.

listen, the king's divorce is a deal breaker

That and the whole question of who is God's representative on earth. Is it the pope or is it the queen?

not specifically on the bishop issue, but:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl1.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/lfe_bibl.htm