The decision by the Church of England's General Synod to continue its prohibition on women serving as bishops has sparked considerable fury from many sections of society.
Last week at Prime Minister's Question Time, David Cameron said he was 'very sad' that the Church voted against the admission of women.
Now the debate has moved on, with the Church of England's representative in the House of Commons, Tony Baldry MP, saying that the General Synod should hold a revote as soon as possible.
In recent days it has been suggested that the decision to admit women bishops could be completely removed from the Church, if Parliament passed laws to strip it from exemption from anti-discrimination laws. This would allow female and gay clergy to sue for discrimination if prevented from holding high office in the Church of England.
"This is not an issue which can in any way be parked for the next couple of years or so awaiting another round of synod elections," said Mr Baldry, referring to the common delay in reviewing decisions made by the Church, whose General Synod meets two or three times per year either in York (July) and London (February and sometimes November).
Whilst some in the Church have hinted that it could take years to campaign for a revote, Mr Baldry added that there must be an understanding within the Church that this was an issue that needed an early resolution.
To pass a motion permitting women bishops, the Synod required a two-thirds majority among its lay members. There were 132 votes counted for the proposal, with 74 against and no abstentions, meaning the lay vote was lost by a handful of votes. Bishops and clergy resoundingly passed the measure.
The move to strip the Church of its exemptions under anti-discrimination laws gathered pace, with the news last week that MP Frank Field had tabled a bill in Parliament.
Mr Field said the exemption to anti-sexual discrimination laws granted to the Church in 1975 was done on the basis that the Church would organise its affairs in due course. However, 37 years later it is still struggling with equality issues.
"Any organisation that thinks it can turn its back on half of the talent in the country and thinks it will be taken seriously needs some sort of serious wake-up call," Mr Field told the BBC.
Source:
UK politician wants new vote on women bishops soon (Business Week)
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