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Church of England synod to discuss women bishops

05/07/2008

The highest body of the Church of England is set to meet to debate whether women can be ordained as bishops.

A five-day conference is being held at York University during which members of the body will be asked whether they are in favour or against women being able to take up the senior position in the clergy.

Bishop of Manchester Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch has urged the church to resolve the issue and reach a decision on the matter at the meeting.

Similarly, Rev Prebendary Kay Garlick has called for the conference to be held in a positive atmosphere in which disagreement is not discouraged.

Previously the synod has agreed to back the appointment of women in principle prompting over 1,000 members to threaten to resign over the dispute.

Last week, the Anglican church suffered a split over the issue of the ordination of gay bishops with those against the move forming their own branch of the church.