Women Bishops in Wales?

The Church in Wales could face an effective schism over a proposal to allow women bishops.

The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, is urging his clergy and laity to vote in favour of women bishops at the Governing Body today but there is a significant conservative wing of the church opposed to the move.

Six bishops have put forward the Bill to introduce women bishops but opponents are pushing for an amendment providing a "flying bishop" for those who cannot in conscience submit to a woman leader. Such a revision would create a "church within a church" and effectively lead to a schism.

Dr Barry Morgan, said that after the ordination of women priests he did not see how the church could "logically exclude women" from the episcopate. "That is why I and my fellow bishops will be asking members of the Governing body to vote in favour of the Bill,” he said.

His spokeswoman told Times Online that any amendment providing an alternative bishop would sanction a schism. The Archbishop would urge people to vote against an amended Bill to preserve the integrity of the church, she said.

Father Alan Rabjohns, who is leading a group of 100 clerics against the Bill, told Times Online that the Church in Wales had no authority to change the "Catholic order of ministry" to allow women bishops. He said that if the Bill was rejected because of amendments it would be a partial "victory" but a temporary one because the issue would return. Fr Rabjohns denied amendments would cause a schism. "The Bill as it stands doesn't spell out how we would be cared for. We have to look at this and see if we can't put something more specific to continue as loyal members of the Church in Wales. It isn't a schism", he said.

Members of the Church in Wales legislative body will vote on the Bill proposed by six bishops today and if they pass it the ordination of women bishops in Wales will immediately become canon law.

It will have to be passed by a two-thirds majority in each of the three sections of the Governing Body – the House of Clergy, the House of Laity and the House of Bishops.

Women bishops are permitted in the Anglican churches of Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.