An in depth look at the first Women bishop contenders

Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin was born in the Caribbean and moved to the UK in 1985. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Here are some of the clergy who are seen as key contenders to be made the first women bishops in the Church of England:

  • The Very Rev Vivienne Faull, 59, Dean of York Minster. Ms Faull is widely believed to be the favourite to be appointed as first woman bishop in the Church of England. She studied at the Queen's School Chester and St Hilda's College, Oxford, and was among the first batch of more than 1,000 women ordained in the Church of England.

  • The Very Rev Dr Jane Hedges, 58, Dean of Norwich. Dr Hedges was installed last month as Dean of Norwich. As former Canon Steward of Westminster Abbey and Archdeacon of Westminster she was frequently seen at high-profile services in Westminster Abbey, greeting and accompanying senior members of the Royal Family.

  • The Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, 53, chaplain to the House of Commons, a chaplain to the Queen and vicar in two inner city parishes in Hackney, east London.The first black female chaplain to the House of Commons is known for her forthright manner. She was born and brought up in Montego Bay, Jamaica, before settling in the UK in 1985.

Canon Philippa Boardman was ordained in the Church of England in 1994. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

  • Canon Philippa Boardman, 50, Canon Treasurer of St Paul's Cathedral. Among the first women to be ordained in the Church of England in 1994. Presided over the national service to mark the 20th anniversary of women's ordination in the Church of England in St Paul's earlier this year.

  • The Very Rev Dr June Osborne, 61, Dean of Salisbury Cathedral. Dr Osborne was the first woman to be made a dean of one of the Church of England's medieval cathedrals when she was appointed at Salisbury Cathedral in 2004.

Reverend Lucy Winkett is one of the contenders to be appointed the CoE's first women bishop. Credit: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire

  • The Rev Lucy Winkett, Rector of James's Piccadilly, central London. A former professional singer, Ms Winkett, has degrees in history and theology and has also studied at the Royal College of Music. She is an author and a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Thought For The Day slot.

  • Dr Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, 40, vicar of Belmont and Pittington, Durham. An avid user of social media, Dr Threlfall-Holmes compared the Church of England to an abusive husband on her blog in 2012 following controversial last-minute changes to the draft legislation introducing women bishops. She later withdrew the posting. She is said to be a former atheist who became a Christian while at Cambridge University.