Rarely has a General Synod seen such emotion, heard such passionate supplications or witnessed such agonised conflicts of conscience and loyalty. The York meeting of bishops, clergy and lay members of the Church of England tested the faith of those present in a way that few other Anglican debates have done in recent years. And after months of tension, factionalism and lobbying, the long debate on the consecration of women bishops was cathartic. It was also refreshingly decisive. The Church of England has voted for the full ecclesiastical equality of women. In the conflict of tradition with reform, reform has triumphed.

In many ways, the synod showed the Church at its best. Despite the clash of convictions, speakers were respectful of place and occasion and to each other. The Archbishop of Canterbury set the tone. He spoke of the agonies facing the Church, but acknowledged the sincere conviction of everyone who spoke. Dr Williams's sermon, during the synod, was uplifting at a time when comfort was needed by those distressed by the divisions and the rancour. He showed the sensitivity essential to his office and a spiritual leadership that may yet steer him past the rocks of the Lambeth conference.

John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, gave Dr Williams the support he has too often lacked from senior clergy, while giving the synod his proverbs and common sense. A figure who has managed to avoid the factional struggles within the Church, he is well placed to effect whatever reconciliation is possible after the big vote.

That vote, to admit women to the episcopate, is the culmination of a debate that began some 30 years ago. It was brave and sensible, but far from inevitable. True, the majority of clergy and bishops now favour the logical consequence of ordaining women as priests. They also believe that the Church must not be out of step with the mores and convictions of the society that it serves. But there were strong moves to postpone the vote to avoid further division just before Lambeth, or to seek a further compromise by appointing “super-bishops”, with extra-geographical jurisdiction, to supervise those clergy who believe in the sanctity of male apostolic tradition. The step was favoured by many, including Dr Sentamu. But it would have been a fudge. And it would have enshrined the principle that women were still not acceptable to the whole Church. Despite the tears and prayers of those who fought for compromise, the need for clarity was greater.

The history of the Lambeth Conference

Our historical guide traces the origins and issues that dominated the agenda at past Lambeth conferences

From the Times Archive, 1867

The first Lambeth Conference had its issues, but participants hoped future meetings would evoke the same fraternal spirit

• 1920 Conference: Birth Control

• 1958 Conference: Family Planning

• 1978 Conference: Ordination Of Women

Multimedia

• Full coverage of Lambeth Conference 2008

• Articles of faith: Ruth Gledhill's blog

• Video: Archbishop of Canterbury on Lambeth 2008

Related Links

• Vatican: regret over women bishops

The question now is whether the traditionalists can reconcile themselves to the decision. About 1,300 threatened before the vote to leave the Church. Far fewer will carry out their threat. The assumption that they could move en masse to Rome is probably wrong. The Anglican and Roman Catholic churches will now move away from the “full visible unity” that they once sought. Not every defector is welcome.

Some traditionalists will indeed leave, and find themselves in a lonely place. But most will remain. Some may try, once again, to overturn the vote. For others there were hints at York, intriguingly, of unofficial moves to offer them the ministry of traditionalist bishops in a non-statutory way. Clarity has won. What is now needed is magnanimity, resolution and a readiness of all factions to work and live together.