The Church of England has voted to allow female bishops. Although it took almost 20 years for the first women priests to be ordained after the synod said it had no fundamental objections in 1975, the first woman bishop is expected by next year.
The Church of England yesterday announced that it has voted to allow female bishops, reports Yahoo! News.
The General Synod's vote reached the required two-thirds majority in each of its three different houses. 351 members approved of the move, 72 voted against and ten abstained.
Welcoming the vote, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby called for tolerance and love for traditionalists who disagree with the decision. Although it took almost 20 years for the first women priests to be ordained after the synod said it had no fundamental objections in 1975, Welby said that he expects the first woman bishop by next year.
However, many opponents have argued that allowing women into such a senior position in the church goes against the Bible.
Although there are no out gay bishops in the U.K., the Church of England announced last year that it will allow celibate gay men in civil partnerships to become bishops.
Watch an Associated Press report on the vote, AFTER THE JUMP…
