Women Bishops could potentially be approved by the Church of England's equivalent of Parliament next year - 12 months earlier than expected. That's according to a report from a panel appointed to oversee the draft legislation on Women in the Episcopate. The Steering Committee has met several times during September and October to prepare proposals for consideration at the November meeting of the General Synod.
The group - made up of clergy and lay people - has drawn up safeguards for traditionalists who oppose the change.
If the legislation is passed when Synod meets in London next month it would bring forward the proposals by a year. Premier's Lisa Mainwaring was at the briefing and told the News Hour how the Church of England has got to this point.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York say they hope members of Synod will finally vote to bring about the ordination of women bishops. In a joint statement, Most Revd Justin Welby and Dr John Sentamu said: "It is significant that the 15 members of the Steering Committee chaired by Bishop James Langstaff of Rochester, who represent the widest possible range of opinion on the matter, have been able to reach substantial agreement on a package of proposals to put to General Synod in November.
"For this we thank God, and we pray in hope that this will help General Synod debate and decide on the necessary next steps to enable women to become bishops." William Fittall is the Secretary-General of the General Synod. He says the delicate issue needs to be handled in the right way.
A measure before Synod last November would have made it lawful for women to be consecrated as bishops. It passed in the Houses of Bishops and Clergy, but failed to gain the required two-thirds majority by lay Anglicans. The latest proposal includes the appointment of an independent reviewer to resolve disputes where parishes want to opt out of being under the authority of a woman bishop.
The possibility of women being admitted to the orders of deacon, priest and bishop has been on the Church of England's agenda since at least 1966.
The former Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom Wright, says the answer lies in the Bible. The theologian and writer told Premier's Justin Brierley it's time Synod passes the legislation.
On the first evening of Synod, the Bishop of Rochester will give a presentation of proposals to admit women to the episcopate to aid the small groups discussions the following day before two debates take place. If the November Synod agrees the next steps would be for it to be passed by the House of Bishops and then Synod in February 2014.
It will then be referred to dioceses "potentially paving the way for final approval during 2014", said the committee report. The Church of England's General Synod will meet in London from 18th - 20th November 2013. There will also be debates on Evangelism and the future of Church of England schools.