Church of England: Women can now be bishops

Centuries of tradition and gender division are on the brink of being overturned by a decision made by the Church of England to allow women to become bishops.

The governing body, the General Synod, approved the proposal after five hours of negotiations.

Archbishop Justin Welby, who is the spiritual leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans, had supported the revolutionary change all along and declared himself delighted with the outcome of the meeting.

A previous all-male clergy had firmly stood against allowing women to become bishops, although women priests has been approved since 1992.