The House of Bishops of the Church of England has today welcomed eight women as participant observers to its meetings. The welcome follows the election of the eight senior women clergy from regions across the country.
In February of this year the House decided that until such time as there are six female members of the House, following the admission of women to the episcopate, a number of senior women clergy should be given the right to attend and speak at meetings of the House as participant observers. The necessary change to the House’s Standing Orders was made in May.
Okay, so the bishops you have when you are not having bishops….
Whatever. Even if or when they legally are permitted to become bishops in the CofE, they will not have any function with respect to the numerous and growing conservative evangelical churches who do not accept the Ordination of Women, so if attending HOB meetings takes their fancy, good luck to them.