British Parliament Passes Measure To Permit Women Bishops In Church of England

In Britain yesterday, the House of Commons debated and gave final Parliamentary approval to the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure  which provides for consecration of women as bishops in the Church of England and continues the provision for ordination of women as priests. The Measure will now be presented for royal assent. Law & Religion UK has an extensive report on the Measure, debate on it and remaining steps that need to be taken by the Church. The Measure also amended the Equality Act to provide that bishops will not be considered public officers. The effect of this, according to statements made during debate, is to "enabl[e] the Church to provide for those who, as a result of theological conviction, do not wish to receive episcopal oversight from a woman."