Riazat Butt of the Guardian reports from the General Synod of the Church of England:
A senior cleric has warned there is “no Plan B” if the Church of England rejects legislation allowing women to become bishops, claiming such a move would lead to a “substantial period of shock”.
The Right Rev Peter Price was addressing supporters of female clergy before a General Synod meeting this week that will decide what provision, if any, there should be for people unwilling to accept women’s leadership. Price, who is bishop of Bath and Wells, was asked what would happen if the General Synod voted against the legislation in July.
He replied: “I haven’t got a clue. I think we will be in such a critical place that it is extremely difficult to see how we will proceed without going through a substantial period of shock.
“I wish I could say there is a plan B. I don’t think there is. The implications of this going down are so far-reaching that we almost dare not face it.”