[ENS, York, England] Ending centuries of tradition, the Church of England voted to welcome and affirm “the view of the majority of the House of Bishops that admitting women to the episcopate in the Church of England is consonant with the faith of the Church” after a two-hour debate July 8 during the Church’s General Synod, meeting at York University, England.

The motion was carried after a vote by houses resulted in bishops voting 31 in favor and 9 against, clergy voting 134 in favor and 42 against, and laity voting 123 in favor and 68 against.

The motion affirms only the principle of women bishops, but in order to change the Church’s canons so that women can legally be appointed to the episcopate, a two-thirds majority in each house would be required. Further debate on the issue is scheduled for July 10, when a motion that addresses the process of ordaining women to the episcopate will be presented.