Bishop's plea to Church: Do not discriminate against women

A senior London bishop today made a plea against discrimination as the General Synod prepares for a showdown vote on women bishops.

The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Dr Tom Butler, spoke out after the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams came under fire from traditionalists calling for legal safeguards to allow people to avoid the ministry of women bishops.

Dr Butler told Evening Standard: "As we have women priests it is clear and obvious to most people that we should, in all fairness and with regard to the order of the Church, have women Bishops.

"I hope and pray that a way forward will be found which enables women to enter the Episcopate without there being provision, enshrined in legislation, for those who cannot accept the ministry of women Bishops. Such legislation discriminates against the full ministry of some Bishops."

The General Synod in York was today due to vote on provisions for individuals opposed to women bishops, with about 1,000 clergy threatening to quit the Church of England over the issue.

The Synod was today expected to debate several proposals, to address the row threatening to tear apart the Church, and then vote on which path to pursue.