BRITAIN: An overwhelming majority of the Church of England's general synod yesterday backed proposals that will bring the introduction of women bishops closer.
Just one member of the church's ruling body opposed a compromise agreement that could see women bishops brought in as early as 2012.
In total, 348 members backed a call for "further exploration" of the approach proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
The church will now investigate a scheme known as Transferred Episcopal Arrangements (TEA), seen as a way of welcoming women bishops without alienating traditionalists.
Opening the debate, Dr Williams said the church was in "uncharted territory", but that keeping the status quo was not an option.
Speaking about the sometimes heated debate over the past year, he said the synod was recognising there were circumstances where "integrity need not mean absolute division".
He said: "We are all in schism, as somebody said many years ago. It is not a question of legislating for schism or providing for schism or whatever - we are there already. A question is how we handle it prayerfully, mindfully and decently and, I would add, hopefully."
The synod heard from its youngest member, Emma Forward (21), of Exeter, who said she was against women bishops.
She called for the younger generation not to be forgotten in discussions over the church's future.
She said: "It must be long-lasting, not something to keep the traditionalists quiet until they all die out."
Christine Hardman, archdeacon of Lewisham, said the debate had a "profound theological significance".
Sister Anne Williams, of Sunderland, called for "collaboration, not a compromise".
Following the general debate six amendments to the motion, many of which were minor changes to the wording, were defeated in a succession of votes.
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, said the proposals left space for further discussions before the synod met again in July.