Just over two years ago, women were blocked from becoming bishops in the Church of England by just six votes in its national assembly.
But after five hours of debate on Monday, leaders of the Church of England’s governing body, the General Synod, finally voted in favour of ordaining women bishops, with an overwhelming 80% of Synod members backing the change.
Although they still require two votes to officially pass the move, it paves the way for female bishops by the end of the year if legislation is moved quickly. And according to the spiritual leader of the world’s 80 million Anglican, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the general public would find it “almost incomprehensible” if the move failed.
“Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years ago with the ordination of women as priests. I am delighted with today’s result,” said Archbishop Welby, who supported the decision.
“Today marks the start of a great adventure of seeking mutual flourishing while still, in some cases, disagreeing.”
He also told reporters that the first female bishop could be announced as early as the end of next year.
The vote overturns centuries of tradition that has deeply divided the church.
Since 1992, when the Synod first approved female priests, the issue of female bishops has caused internal divisions between reformers who have been trying to project a more modern image and appeal to a wider congregation, and conservatives who said the changes contradicted the bible.
Women currently serve as bishops in countries like the United States and Australia. Finding common ground in the UK came with the creation of an independent official who could intervene when traditional parishes complain.