Church of England enacts historic legislation for women bishops

The Church of England on Monday officially enacted legislation to enable women to be ordained as bishops in the church.

The enactment, formally passed at the general synod of the church on Monday, was supported in a vote by the synod in July, the Church of England said in a statement.

The legislation has been approved in British Parliament and received Royal Assent.

The amendment means that women will be allowed to stand as bishops in Anglican churches for the first time in history, following years of intense debate between church reformers and traditionalists who opposed the plan.

"Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the church and moving forward together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing in the church of those who disagree," said Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The final legislative requirements took place during a session chaired by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu on the first day of the synod's meeting in London.

Following the passing of the amendment, the legislation was signed into law by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in front of the whole synod.

The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the mother church of the Anglican Communion worldwide. Enditem