What are the issues behind women bishops vote?

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 said the Church had "lost a measure of credibility" after the November 2012 rejection

Is it close to a solution?

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

What is different about the proposals considered in July 2014?

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

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

How many Anglican women bishops are there worldwide?

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

Why is this debate important to the rest of us?

The Archbishop of Canterbury performed the marriage service of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011

Will the move split the Church?

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

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