THE Bishop of Winchester has expressed disappointment at the defeat of the campaign for women bishops.

The Right Revd Tim Dakin, enthroned as bishop in September and speaking after the vote was lost on Tuesday, said: “I am very sad that the General Synod was unable to proceed with an agreed way of ordaining women as bishops.

“I shall continue to support the full inclusion of women in all forms of ministry whilst ensuring that there is an honoured place in the mission of the diocese for those who do not agree with development in this area.

He added: “With colleagues I shall be offering support to those who feel disappointed and confused by this decision.”

The General Synod needed a two-thirds majority in the houses of bishops, clergy and laity.
Whilst more than two thirds voted for the legislation in both the House of Bishops (44-03) and the House of Clergy (148-45), the vote in favour of the legislation in the House of Laity was less than two-thirds (132-74). The vote in the House of Laity fell short of approval by four votes.

In total 324 members of the General Synod voted to approve the legislation and 122 voted to reject it.
The House of Bishops has been meeting in emergency session to consider the consequences of the vote.