The legislative process to enable women to be ordained as bishops moved a step closed last night as the House of Lords agreed the Motion to Direct, moved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, [HL Hansard, 14 Oct 2014, Vol 756(38) Col 165]

“That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent”.

Lord Mackay of Clashfern reminded their Lordships of the restricted nature of this motion[1].  Nevertheless, the 95 minute debate raised important issues, primarily by crossbenchers Baroness Howe of Idlicote and Lord Lloyd of Berwick, and these were addressed by Archbishop Welby and the Lord Bishop of Rochester who chaired the General Synod steering committee responsible for this Measure. Continue reading →