The Church of England faces a damaging split within its ranks after its
governing body rejects compromise proposals over the possible appointment of
women bishops. 

YORK, ENGLAND, UK (JULY 7, 2008) ITN -
The Church of England faces a damaging split within its ranks after
its governing body on Monday (July 7) rejected compromise proposals over the
possible appointment of women bishops. 
    Members of the General Synod voted to press ahead with the ordination
of women bishops, but without the safeguards demanded by traditionalists. 
    The synod members voted to approve work on a national statutory code to
accommodate those within the Church who object to women bishops. But it
rejected compromise proposals for new so-called "super bishops" to
cater for objectors -- and also the traditionalists preferred option of
creating new dioceses. 
    The decision to go ahead with work on the code came after more than six
hours of debate by the General Synod meeting in York. 
    The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, speaking at the
beginning of the debate, indicated he would be in favour of a form of
accommodation for objectors, adding, however: "I am deeply unhappy with
any scheme or any solution to this which ends up, as it were, structurally
humiliating women who might be nominated to the episcopate."
    The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, also backed compromise with
objectors.