Legislation clearing the way for women bishops in the Church of England has passed a key hurdle in spite of fears of a walkout by traditionalists.

Members of the Church’s national assembly, the General Synod, rejected calls for further delay in the progress of a draft law paving the way for women to be made bishops without safeguards demanded by objectors.

Diocesan synods of the Church of England will now consider a scheme where women bishops would have the authority to make local arrangements for objectors after referring to a statutory code of practice.

The legislation – if given approval by a majority of diocesan synods – would then return to the General Synod in 2012 for further drafting and final approval.

Dr Williams told the General Synod at the conclusion of the debate that he hoped the dioceses would see their work on the legislation as more than a “mechanical task” in the view of the “depth and honesty” of feeling about the subject on the General Synod

“We have decided to invite the dioceses to join us in prayer and reflection,” he said.