What are the issues behind women bishops vote?

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Women clergy celebrating after CofE general synod voted to allow women bishops. The one on the rights is Rev Kat Campion-SpallImage source, Reuters
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Tears and jubilation greeted the general synod's vote to allow women bishops

The Church of England on Monday is expected to adopt legislation allowing women to become bishops, bringing to a head decades of wrangling over the issue.

What is at the heart of the controversy?

Then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams consoles a colleague after the House of Laity voted against women bishops in 2012Image source, Getty Images
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Then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said the Church had "lost a measure of credibility" after the November 2012 rejection

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Is it close to a solution?

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Margaret Housden holding a vigil outside the synod after the November 2012 voteImage source, Getty Images
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Some evangelicals are convinced the Bible teaches that male headship is what God wills, both in individual families, and in the family of the Church, but others disagree

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What is different about the proposals considered in July 2014?

The Archbishop of Canterbury
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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said there is a "change of mood" in the Church on the issue which makes him very optimistic

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Who are the opponents to women bishops and what do they want?

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How many Anglican women bishops are there worldwide?

Rev Pat Storey
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Pat Storey is the first woman Anglican bishop in the UK and Ireland. There are between 20 and 30 active Anglican women bishops in the world

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Why is this debate important to the rest of us?

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Westminster Abbey on their wedding dayImage source, PA
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The Archbishop of Canterbury performed the marriage service of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011

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Will the move split the Church?

Women from Reform presenting petition to the Archbishop of YorkImage source, Reform
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It is not only some men who are opposed to female bishops - more than 2,000 women from within the Church of England signed a petition against them

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Will the vote have an effect on the Anglican church worldwide?