The issue has been much debated, but it seems that women bishops could be taking their place within the Church of England.

Legislation fast-tracking the long-awaited introduction of women Bishops recently cleared the revision stage of the General Synod’s national assembly meeting in London, paving the way for the first female bishop in the Church of England to be selected before the end of the year.

The scheme slashes the time that the Church of England consults with its 44 dioceses over the legislation from six months to three, with final approval anticipated in July.

Arrangements for traditionalists who oppose female ministry will be outlined in a “declaration” by the Church of England Bishops and the new set of proposals will include an ombudsmen, or independent reviewer, to rule in disputes.

The Reverend Cayte Norman, vicar of Rawdon and Rural Dean of churches in Aireborough and Lower Wharfedale, says: “I think it will open up a new chapter in the history of the church, that women will be able to be appointed at all levels of the church.

“I am sure there are women who have the appropriate skills to be a bishop and they will be able to be appointed now once it comes through, so the church will be appointing its bishops from every breadth of the clergy of the church.”

Recognising the introduction of women bishops wasn’t welcomed by everyone, Reverend Cayte adds: “I understand the position of those who don’t want to see change, but I think we need to remember the word of the scripture of God is doing a new thing and I think we should recognise that.”

The Reverend Ruth Yeoman, vicar of Menston Parish Church, says: “The Church of England’s governing body, the General Synod, has agreed for some time that women should be able to become bishops, but 12 months ago the Synod rejected the proposed legislation as some felt it didn’t include adequate reassurances for those who object to women priests and bishops.

“But in the last 12 months there’s been a dramatic shift, and on Tuesday this week the Church of England took a big step nearer to the consecration of women as bishops. Synod agreed that a draft legal measure be sent to the dioceses for their response within three months, so that all being well this could be received at the meeting of Synod in July. If positive then the Synod would have the chance to pass it and send it on to Parliament and receive final church approval in November this year.

“We have struggled long and hard in order that, despite the complexity of different points of view, we can go on living together. This will be a vital step in developing and utilising the gifts of women at every level within the church and I’m excited about what this will mean for the church and the people we serve.”

The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford Cathedral, says: “The Church of England approved the principle of Women Bishops some time ago, but the process has taken longer than expected as we have needed to fine-tune legislation to try to honour the conscience and contribution of the minority who have reservations. The new Archbishop of Canterbury has been spearheading a new process and clearly there is a will to move forwards very quickly.

“For my part, I have worked with women in the ministry in every post that I’ve held since 1984 and have longed for the day when their gifts, experience and insights are available to all senior posts in the Church of England. So I very much hope that the final approval will come at the General Synod in July.”

Canon Ralph Crowe, vicar of St Chad’s in Toller Lane, Bradford, says: “It was perceived as another stage in the legislative process to give women access to episcopacy in the Church of England.

“From the point of view of one who sees this as positively unhelpful to the unity of the whole church, it would seem that the aim of holding together in charity is being worked through in a way that might enable those who differ, without loss of integrity, to carry on within the structure caring for and reaching out to people.”