Church of England OKs Female Bishops

The Church of England has approved the ordination of women as bishops, with the first expected to be installed next year. The church’s general synod amended church law to finally allow women to be appointed as bishops. The change was announced Sunday at St. Mary Newington Church in south London. The Church of England has ordained female priests for two decades, but has resisted allowing them to become bishops. “As a woman, I am absolutely excited that people of my gender will no longer be able to be cast aside, in effect, but that they will be considered part of the leadership within the Church of England,” said Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who is chaplain to the speaker of the House of Common.