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| Female bishops voted in by Church in Wales | Female bishops voted in by Church in Wales |
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| The Church of England will come under increasing pressure to appoint female bishops after Anglicans in Wales on Thursday voted to allow women to be ordained in the most senior posts there. | The Church of England will come under increasing pressure to appoint female bishops after Anglicans in Wales on Thursday voted to allow women to be ordained in the most senior posts there. |
| There were cheers after the governing body of the Church in Wales ruled that from around this time next year women will be able to become bishops. Supporters and women's rights groups called the decision long overdue, arguing the exclusion of women from the top roles made the church less relevant in modern society. | There were cheers after the governing body of the Church in Wales ruled that from around this time next year women will be able to become bishops. Supporters and women's rights groups called the decision long overdue, arguing the exclusion of women from the top roles made the church less relevant in modern society. |
| The decision adds to the pressure on the Church of England to follow suit – given that Scotland and Northern Ireland already allow female bishops. In England the issue is due to be discussed again in November; the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said there are "good signs" that the ordination of female bishops will be approved. | |
| Before the debate the archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said it made "no theological sense" not to ordain women as bishops when the church already allowed them to become deacons and priests. | |
| During a passionate debate among the 144 members of the Church in Wales's governing body in Lampeter, south-west Wales, Canon Jenny Wigley, from Radyr in Cardiff, asserted that the Bible says there should be no differences between people. | |
| "It's Christ-like people that the church chooses as bishops, and I hope and pray that the Church in Wales gives an unqualified and unreserved yes to the Christ-like qualities of our women priests alongside our men," she said. | "It's Christ-like people that the church chooses as bishops, and I hope and pray that the Church in Wales gives an unqualified and unreserved yes to the Christ-like qualities of our women priests alongside our men," she said. |
| Canon Patrick Thomas of Christ Church, Carmarthen, said: "I'm happy with Bishop Wyn [referring to the bishop of St David's, Wyn Evans] but would be just as happy with Bishop Wynona." | Canon Patrick Thomas of Christ Church, Carmarthen, said: "I'm happy with Bishop Wyn [referring to the bishop of St David's, Wyn Evans] but would be just as happy with Bishop Wynona." |
| However, some critics claimed that Christ had chosen only men as apostles. Father Ben Andrews, from Barry, said it could be difficult for some people to stay in the church if female bishops were allowed. "The bishop's role is to hold the diocese together, and for those of us who in good conscience cannot accept the sacramental ministry of a woman bishop means we cannot be in communion with that bishop," he said. | |
| "We are told we have an honoured place within the church but that place is going to be difficult if not impossible for us to remain. There may come a time when it is impossible for me to function as a priest in the Church in Wales." | "We are told we have an honoured place within the church but that place is going to be difficult if not impossible for us to remain. There may come a time when it is impossible for me to function as a priest in the Church in Wales." |
| A two-thirds majority was needed in each of the governing body's three houses – laity, clergy and bishops. In the end it was fairly comfortable for those in favour of change. Laity voted 57 for and 14 against, with clergy backing the move 37 to 10. The bishops voted unanimously in favour. | A two-thirds majority was needed in each of the governing body's three houses – laity, clergy and bishops. In the end it was fairly comfortable for those in favour of change. Laity voted 57 for and 14 against, with clergy backing the move 37 to 10. The bishops voted unanimously in favour. |
| One possible way forward for those against the reform had been for a change in the church's constitution to be brought in to cater for priests who did not want to be led by a woman. This would have required a further vote. Instead, the governing body decided that it would be sufficient for bishops to draw up a code of practice. | |
| This result is bound to lead to supporters of female bishops in England to call for a similar scheme to be introduced. In England the General Synod narrowly voted against legislation last year to allow women to become bishops. | This result is bound to lead to supporters of female bishops in England to call for a similar scheme to be introduced. In England the General Synod narrowly voted against legislation last year to allow women to become bishops. |
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