Bishop of Dover: Vote 'not a no to women bishops'

The Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, said in a letter to the clergy and lay people of the Diocese of Canterbury that yesterday's General Synod vote "was not a 'no' to women bishops, but it was a 'no' to the proposed legislation as it stands".

"I believe that the door to women being bishops is open and cannot now be shut", the Bishop wrote.

"The clear majority of the Church of England demands it, the people of this country expect it, and I believe that the Holy Spirit yearns for it".

"There will be women bishops in the Church of England and I hope and pray that the wait will not be a long one", he added.