The Archbishop of Canterbury will issue a plea today for the Church of England to "challenge fear" within its ranks as new legislation to introduce women bishops looks on course to gain approval later this year.
Legislation which could see the first female bishop in the Church of England selected before the end of this year has been hailed as a step towards the "Promised Land".
A move to halve the consultation period was backed by 358 General Synod members, with 39 voting against and nine abstaining.
Lois Haslam, a member from Chester diocese, speaking in the debate over the legislation, said: "I feel something like what Moses must have felt as he approached the promised land.
"We have wandered round women bishops legislation for many, many years, we are now approaching the promised land and it is exciting."
The Church of England could decide as early as July whether to appoint women bishops, but pockets of opposition remain.
Today the Church of England Synod is meeting to debate a crucial vote which, if supported, could see women Bishops in England by Christmas.