12 February 2012: General Synod debate on female bishops

In July 2014, the Church of England’s General Synod approved legislation that would allow women to serve as bishops, and today it is not uncommon to see female bishops at either diocesan or suffragan (assistant) levels.
But in November 2012, the Synod surprised even itself by blocking similar legislation, at its final reading. A Measure is a form of legislation that has the same status in English law as an Act of Parliament. And before it receives Royal Assent, it goes on a similar journey in the Synod that a Bill goes through in the House of Commons.
In February 2012, the draft Measure went through its final revision stage as the Synod met in Church House, Westminster. This is my report from that February 2012 meeting for BBC Radio Four's Sunday Programme.