ORDINATION OF WOMEN BISHOPS

Early day motion 1851, tabled 1 November 2004 by Chris Bryant (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House welcomes the publication on 2nd November of a report by the Bishop of Rochester on the ordination of women bishops in the Church of England; notes that the Anglian Church in Canada, New Zealand and the USA already ordains women bishops; further notes that the Church of England now has women as curates, chaplains, vicars, rectors, deacons, archdeacons and deans; and hopes that the Church of England will soon move towards abolishing the stained glass ceiling that prevents women from becoming bishops and archbishops.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2.