The day they said ‘yes’
Posted: 23 Nov 2012 @ 00:56
Twenty years ago this month, the General Synod voted in favour
of the ordination of women. Margaret Duggan
covered the debate for the Church Times, and reflects on
what happened
JUST a single gasp broke the silence in the emotion-filled
Assembly Hall, as the results of the final votes to ordain women as
priests were read out: House of Bishops: 39 to 13; House of Clergy:
176 to 74; House of Laity: 169 to 82. Quick mental arithmetic
ascertained that, while there were clear two-thirds majorities in
the Houses of Bishops and Clergy, the vote had succeeded in the
Laity by a narrow two votes.