Minister for women says Church of England must reform
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Britian's Culture Secretary Maria Miller arrives in London on Sept 5, 2012. Miller said the Church of England needs to reform itself and act swiftly to introduce women bishops, in an interview published on Saturday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON (AFP) - Britain's women and equalities minister Maria Miller said the Church of England needs to reform itself and act swiftly to introduce women bishops, in an interview published on Saturday.
England's state church failed to pass the necessary legislation in a vote on Tuesday, the measures not receiving the required two-thirds backing in all three houses of the 470-member General Synod.
Though the bishops and the clergy backed the measure in sufficient numbers, those elected to represent the lay churchgoers did not, the plans falling short by six votes.
Some 42 of the 44 Church of England dioceses back the change.
