We will in time, see the foolishness of devoting so much energy to this issue. It is like the gay, women priest/bishops, and mixed marriages battles in TEP. So much energy devoted to this when so much hurt and hunger await the church's action. It is time to get on and do the chruch'e mission.

Bill, NYC, USA

Could someone explain what duties (if any) I owe to someone who believes that I am subhuman, not a proper "child of god" like they themselves are?

In my view I owe them nothing. No obedience to their rules, no respect. No respect for those who think my rights are not important enough to be enforced

Janey, Norwich,

Much ado about nothing. As Pope Leo XIII infallibly declared in 1896 ALL Anglican ordinations are null and void. Since there are no valid Anglican Bishops, it makes no difference that some of the non-Bishops happen to be female. The Anglican Communion will be a dead letter soon enough.

WBCole, St. Croix, Virgin Islands

A sad day for the church, schism no. 876

iain rae, tunbridge wells,

I think it's time for a general refresher on the reasons WHY the clergy was decided to be male-only in the first place. Knowing the rationale for why something is what it is tends to help people judge intelligently whether the rationale for no female clergy still exists or not.

Robert, Los Angeles, USA

Response:
"The death knell for unity." Fr. Jim, that death knell sounded in 1534. You're a little late. All of Anglicanism is schismatic and heretical, thanks to King Henry VIII, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, etc. All of it is counterfeit currency.

"Catholicus", in California

Steven Kiczek, La Mesa, U.S.A.

Anglicans may as well admit that male and female He did not create them: Genesis was incorrect. We are all the same, and women should be able to impregnate men. Jesus was a man of his time, isn't he? Though Divine yet incapable of free thought despite his spectacular overturning of jewish customs.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

The death knell for unity. Trust me, in 10 years the flying bishops will be gone and the remaining Christians will be told to accept bishopesses or else. While we might have a shortage of priests across the Tiber it is the Anglicans who have a shortage of parishioners. Your pews are empty.

Fr. Jim, Washington, USA

Another step into segregation. Nobody should use the word "ecumenical", who widens the gaps. Or does anybody expect Roman-Catholics or Orthodoxes to follow ? From Jesus- to gender-orientation. Add some public gays as bishops, to enrich the mixed pickles of modern way of life. Intrinsic progress.

Gregor Plattfaut, Weitmar, Germany

"An historic agreement". It is neither historic nor an agreement if it doesn't settle the issue and judging by the comments it has made matters infinitely worse. Why not call them "Bishopesses" and "Priestesses" and just get on with it.
(Oh sorry! "Bishop Persons" and "Priest Persons"). Amen.

David Cotterell, Cheltenham, UK

Equality at last

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

One does notice that many of the strongest defenders of women clergy never darken the door of a church-- they just think it to be a good idea in principle. And too bad about the practising Christians who take their religion seriously and fail to agree. They can give up on all they have contributed.

Austin Scott, Chicago,

Best news possible. Now the Cof E will fall apart and hopefully disappear forever. Set up at the whim of man seems ironic that it will destroy itself at the whim of a bunch of woman.

Chris, Salisbury,

What a lot of baloney having a male bishop being the assiatant of a female bishop. Women can accomplish their task on their own.
God never intended men to be superior to women.
Hope the Church is finally getting the message.
We are not there yet to getting to equality.

Robert Postuma, Montreal, Canada

Why has this taken until 2008? Sex discrimination has been illegal since the 70's. Is the church somehow exempt?

Conrad Bebbington, Stone, Staffs, UK

There are good thiings in the Bible, but if taken literally it can lead to racism and to sexism, as indicated in peter c's unenlightened comment. It is high time that the Church of England ordained women as bishops. The best priests I know in America are women.

Dr M Wimsatt, Columbia, SC, USA

If the C of E continues to rule in favour of liberal theology then the last vestiges of Christianity will disappear from within its doors. Anglo-Catholics would be better suited to Rome anyway, with their view on Mass and on Church authority. But if they and Evangelicals leave, it's effectively over

Alex, London,

I daresay conservative evangelicals can wrangle as much as they like so long as their struggles don't become classed as tantamount to an abuse of public office and that's why we should avoid speculation about disestablishment.It's probably thus hard (but necessary) to enter through the narrow gate.

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

Excellent news but how very sad to read some of the comments. If the Anglo Catholics move to Rome fine. They might find themselves a bit short of priests. I believe the average age is about 60.

D Horton-Smith, Hucknall,

Father Foster, Jesus did not have priests, bishops or deacons at all!

David Cavanagh, Florence, Italy

What ever the Church of England decides such things would be impossible here in the Middle East we are already being called heretics because of this issue. I had 7 of my congregation killed over the issue of homosexuality and the church. Please do not forget that the Church is Universal.

Canon Andrew White, Baghdad, Iraq

Jesus didn't appoint anyone, male or female, to be a deacon, priest or bishop. It's doubtful if he wanted a church at all.

Revd Richard Haggis, Oxford, UK

Reckon Father Foster has put his finger right on the button when he says, "in a man made religion . . . . "!

I find it amazing that an institution committed by belief to change hearts and minds is always attacked by those looking to defend/safeguard the institution and these are usually men.

David B, Burnley, Emgland

Great news! Get these silly administrative issues out of the way, and start preaching the Gospel, and tackling politicians on proper concern for the poor and wealth distribution generally. Those are the real issues for the Church.

Richard, Chesterfield,

Another small step by the church towards recognising that women are equal and not just bodies for producing children or people who make the tea. Let's hope they keep going and that other churches/religions soon come to realise the same.

David B, Burnley, England

I know of no barrier, other than clergy marriage, that prevents folk preferring 'catholic' beliefs and practices joining the Roman Catholic Church.

I think those who yell about Biblical principles might do well to do some solid Bible Studies and try to understand the context of Paul's views.

Ian Welch, Canberra, Australia

How interesting!! You would prefer homosexual bishops rather than women!!

henry cowan, linthicum/MD, USA

Finally the church that preaches tolerance, justice, peace for all man and womankind this is a blessing. I could understand the objection for female Bishops if we were discussing front line fighting in the Armed forces; we are talking about is the spiritual leadership of our communities here.

John Tasker, Singaporre, Singapore

Blessing follows obedience. Women are not permitted to teach nor to have authority over men in the church of Jesus Christ. This is clearly stated in the scriptures and any refusal to obey the Lord on this matter will only lead to disaster.

Andrew Chapman, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Who actually cares who's in the pulpit? A few percent of people attend. There are more pressing issues this decade and other issues of (un)fairness and (in)equality to deal with nationally and globally this century. Let them squabble in their stained-glass greenhouses.

James, Bristol,

"Just come back home to catholicism,why do the trads put up with it?"
Catholicism is not "home", it's a perversion of grace (via the Mass), of sexuality (Jesus didn't teach priestly celibacy) and of lifestyle (i.e. monkhood). It's also the relic of empire.

Alex, London,

This is very welcome- bringing the Church of England in Britain into line with other Anglican communions overseas. Our city has now a second woman bishop, following on a very successful first one.
I do not recall Jesus stating that women could not be priests and bishops , it was not practical then.

Ann Wright, Edmonton, Canada

Clive, in response to your question about whether "a shepherdess' being able to equally watch over the flock, my question is: do you want your shepherdess to put her children in child care while she watches other people's 'sheep? Do you want her to care for other families instead of her own?

Matilda, Canberra, Australia

can the learn nothing from Genesis,? it was a woman who dropped us all in it in the first place. More women in any affairs be they political or religious is a recipe for disaster

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

The Bible was right. In the end times God's people will give up the way of God and start doing whatever seems right in their eyes. People should start reading the Bible, it's amazing how many predictions are coming true.

Chris, UK,

In a man made religion anything can happen,and so be it. The Church of England has it's own agenda and Gods law doesn't seem to count.Jesus didn't have women priest ,Bishops or deacons what's happenning? Just come back home to catholicism,why do the trads put up with

Father Foster, london, uk

One step closer to irrelevance for the Church of England. Lots of Anglo-Catholics will move to Rome and the Catholic Church will soon become the largest english church once more.

In time, the Anglican Communion will break free of Canterbury & the Church of England will be disestablished.

Andrew Turvey, Nottingham, England

Jesus co-founded the Christian church based on admitting the "halt and the lame" and everyone. Anybody who denies equality to women in any social or religious role has not come to terms with the spiritual leader of their own church, Jesus. I would go further; such people are not Christians.

Paul Muller, Mae Sot, Thailand

'After years of struggle to avoid schism, bishops have agreed ...'

I'm so pleased that a schism has been avoided. So how does this help untity between the Anglican and Catholic communions?

Mike Hart, London, England

Why on earth are the law-courts getting dragged into a religious spat?

Julian Morrison, Reading, Berkshire

Excellent! That just leaves the question of gay and lesbian bishops to be conceded.

J Jenkins, York,

I feel sure that if Jesus were to return right now, he would have some very interesting questions to ask, that is, after he had obtained an explanation for the Inquisition.
Surely he would ask, ' can a Shepherdess not watch over her flock as well as well as a Shepherd?'

Clive, Lancing, England

How utterly absurd. So they've basically agreed to ignore the schism and the hypocrisy of their strange beliefs? How typically Judeo-Christian o them. Reminds me of Paul and his 'selective' hearing regarding afterlife and Constantine and his ruthless politicising of Orthodoxy. Nothing ever changes .

Christopher, Notts,