Archbishop of Canterbury admits to ‘desperately difficult’ process.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has assured traditionalists that the Church of England remains committed to finding a way for them to stay within the fold despite the defeat of a compromise measure in General Synod on Saturday.

Synod, currently meeting in York, voted Monday morning in favour of retaining some sort of provisions for opponents of women bishops within the draft Measure.

The provisions maintain that the diocesan bishop should make a scheme containing arrangements for the exercise of certain episcopal duties by a male bishop, and that a letter of request for male oversight may be submitted by a parochial church council where it has the approval of a majority of council members.

If the draft Measure is approved by the end of Synod Tuesday, it will be sent out for consideration in diocesan synods before coming before Synod for consideration again in around 18 months.

The Church of England has ordained women priests since 1994. The first woman bishop is not expected to be consecrated before 2014.

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