(The minority) primarily made up of Anglo-Catholics and other High Churchmen–were concerned about the ecumenical ramifications that may portend from ordinal novelties, the validity of female apostleship, a rupture with traditional interpretation, and a trespass against scriptural obedience.

Today, the General Synod for the Church of England rejected the ordination of women bishops by a mere handful of votes. So ends for now a nearly 12 year legislative process to upend standards for episcopal office. Much of the controversy surrounded the provision of stand-in bishops for parishes opposed to women’s ordination.

Passage of the ordination innovations required a 2/3 majority in all houses. The votes were 44 for and two against in the house of bishops, 148 for and 45 against in the house of clergy, and 132 for and 74 against in the house of laity. The vote in the house of laity, at 64%, was just short of the required majority.

Some British Anglicans hoped the passage of this motion would be another step of enlightened progress. They also worry about the cultural image this will grant the Church in modern British society with its failure. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams himself voiced outspoken support. A minority breathes a sigh of relief. This group–primarily made up of Anglo-Catholics and other High Churchmen–were concerned about the ecumenical ramifications that may portend from ordinal novelties, the validity of female apostleship, a rupture with traditional interpretation, and a trespass against scriptural obedience.

Bart Gingerich holds a B.A. in History from Patrick Henry College and serves as a Research Assistant at the Institute on Religion and Democracy. This article first appeared on the IRD blog and is used with permission.

Further details from the BBC:

Both the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and his successor, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, were in favour of a “yes” vote.

The vote came after several speakers at the synod opposed giving final approval to the legislation.

Canon Simon Killwick, a vicar in Moss Side, Manchester, and chairman of the catholic group in the synod, urged members to vote against the move.

“I do not believe that this draft legislation will be good for the Church of England,” he said.

“We are all desperate to move on from the sad infighting of the last few years – but this legislation does not provide a clear way forward.”

The result means it will be at least five years before the synod gets to vote on final approval of such legislation.

The House of Bishops will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning following the decision, a Church spokesman said.

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