Delight and joy over women bishop move

Members of the Church of England's ruling body, the General Synod, voted 378 in favour and eight against.

Yesterday's vote comes after the synod failed to agree on the legislation by just six votes almost exactly a year ago.

Opponents and supporters of women bishops gave their backing to first approval of a package of measures introducing women bishops alongside safeguards for traditionalists including an ombudsman to rule on disputes.

But leading conservative evangelicals warned that there still remained 'major issues' to be resolved – prompting the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, to warn against 'opening the champagne' yet.

The move was today welcomed by Rev Karen Stanton, rector of Kinver and Enville. The former music teacher is both villages' first female rector.

She took over last year and is in charge of St Peter's Church, Kinver, and St Mary's, in Enville.

"I am absolutely delighted. There are many women already in the clergy I have met who would make excellent bishops," she said.

"This is very positive. In terms of issues still to be resolved the same was true when women were first ordained.

"However once that had been experienced people realised it was a good and positive thing and any issues were resolved. I have no doubt it will be the same in this case."

Rev Stephen Carter, of St Andrew's Church, Netherton, and St Peter's Church, in Darby End, agreed.

He said: "This is a very positive step forward and I am pleased at the overwhelming support for it to happen."

Dr John Inge, who is the Bishop of Worcester from the Worcestershire diocese which covers Dudley and Wyre Forest, also welcomed the vote.

He said: "I'm delighted that these proposals have been passed by the General Synod – it is a significant step towards the Church of England ordaining women as bishops.

"I believe that it is vital for the Church of England to have women as bishops sooner rather than later and after the disappointment of last November, this is really good news, particularly as they have received support of the overwhelming majority in the Synod."

Rev Claire Turner who is a third year curate at St Thomas's in Wednesfield said this time last year when the vote went against women bishops she was in tears, whereas yesterday she was delighted.

The 37-year-old said: "Last year the tone was very different, and there was a lot of anger, and emotions were running high.

"But I think since then there have been some really important discussions in the ministry, and the legislation has been looked at again.This time it is much simpler, it also allows people's views to be heard as it does include a grievance process. It shows there are ways and means that all the different views of the church can work alongside each other."

Rev Turner, who was ordained in June 2011, said: "It is a good day, and the vote was pretty unequivocal"

"It has always been a bit odd for me, because I have always been welcomed , and very well supported. "I have not really faced any problems being a female priest locally. So often these debates in the Synod did feel quite alien to me. I think it is so important that men and women can both work in these positions, and although we are not quite there yet, we are getting closer, and I'm delighted."

The vote could pave the way for final approval of women bishops by the General Synod in July next year.

The new set of proposals would include an ombudsman, or independent reviewer, to rule on disputes over arrangements for traditionalists who will not accept the authority of a woman. Clergy who failed to co-operate with the ombudsman's inquiries could be subject to disciplinary proceedings.