At Funny Women we are invested in women reaching the top. We are particularly invested in gender equality and like to keep abreast with UK gender equality laws – who abides by them and who is a little iffy with them.
Which is why, after being foiled by a few lay members last year, we are interested to learn that today the General Synod has responded to last year’s outrage from church goers, non-church goers and those who opt for Jedi on their Census form regarding a preliminary vote on new legislation which would enable women to be consecrated as bishops.
Last November in 2012 the General Synod’s proposals did not win the all-important two thirds majority. A set of lay members proved to be more effective than some might have predicted in arguing that such a proposal left little option for traditionalists and conservative evangelicals.
Today in November 2013 the Church caught up a little, with a majority voting in favour. The motion was carried 378 votes to eight with 25 abstentions, bringing us a little closer to a new, sparklier series of The Vicar of Dibley, with pointier hats.
We will have to wait until July 2014 when the General Synod will reconvene to vote on the matter of female bishops and traditional parishes who object to recognising the authority of a woman bishop.
