Press Release Saturday 10th July 2010

Full Steam Ahead for Women Bishops - Church can Move Forward at Last

WATCH is delighted that the Church has today affirmed its wish to
appoint women as bishops on the same basis as men.

The General Synod, meeting in York, re-iterated its decision of July
2008 that when women are appointed bishops they will be in charge of
their entire Diocese.  Amendments suggesting that there should be
separate dioceses for those opposed, or permanent flying bishops, or
that parishes should automatically be transferred to another bishop,
were all rejected by the Synod.

Hilary Cotton, Vice-Chair of WATCH, said, 'We are absolutely delighted
that Synod has stuck with its decision of two years ago and wants
women to be bishops with full authority. This is good news for all
women, not just women in the Church.'

Rachel Weir Chair of WATCH said, "This has been an agonisingly slow
journey and the Church has rightly wanted to do all it could for those
who find this difficult, but we are delighted that Synod has made the
right decision in the end". Now at last the Church can move forward
and accept the wonderful gifts of leadership that our women bring"

On Monday the Synod will decide what minor amendments to make. It will
also be given the opportunity to vote for the simplest possible
legislation, in other words that  'the Church will appoint male and
female bishops'. Arrangements for those opposed would then be
entrusted to individual bishops under a Code of Practice that will be
drawn up in the near future.

This is not the end of the journey. The wider Church will now be
invited to debate the proposals and if approved General Synod will
have a final vote on them in about eighteen months time.

Contact:
Hilary Cotton: Vice Chair and Campaign Co-ordinator             Home:
01483856827

                                   Mobile: 07793817058
Sally Barnes: Media Officer
              Home: 020 8731 0960
           Mobile: 07759343335

Notes for Editors
WATCH (Women and the Church) is a voluntary organisation of women and
men who are campaigning to see women take their place alongside men
without discrimination and at every level in the Church of England.
This requires the removal of current legal obstacles to the
consecration of women as bishops.  WATCH believes that the full
equality of women and men in the Church is part of God's will for all
people, and reflects the inclusive heart of the Christian scripture
and tradition