AN East Lancashire religious leader said his opposition to women bishops was not motivated by sexism but a desire to uphold traditional Church of England values.

The reaction from the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, came in the wake of the vote by members of the Church of England General Synod to press ahead with the ordination of women bishops.

But the yes vote has won support from the area’s women vicars who believe the decision on ordination is a positive step forward.

Synod members voted to approve work on a statutory national code of practice to accommodate parishes and clergy who object to women bishops on grounds of conscience.

And they rejected the creation of new diocese for parishes and clergy opposed to women bishops, the preferred option of traditionalists.

Rt Rev Goddard said this lack of compromise was a concern.

He said: “I believe that the orders we have received along with the whole scriptures of the church are not ours alone to change, but must be in the nature of the universal church.

“It’s nothing to do with misogyny but the understanding but the understanding of the church.”

Rt Rev Goddard, who voted against the motion, added that the Synod’s decision had made no provision for traditionalists such as himself.

He was back by The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, who has signed a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury saying that the presence of women bishops could force other clergy away from the church.

But Rev Sue Williams, vicar at St Bartholomew’s Church, Chipping, was cautiously optimistic about the yes vote.

She said: “From my perspective the possibility of having a woman as a bishop is very positive.”

Rev Williams, a leading figure in the Lancashire and Theological Partnership, added: “It will be a painful process for the church. We need to walk together down this road.”

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