women in church - Timeline

First attempt to put women’s ordination on the agenda of the Lambeth Conference

Special Archbishops’ commission examines the case for women priests but rules it out

Bishop Ronald Hall of Hong Kong breaks ranks and ordains Florence Li Tim-Oi, a Chinese Deacon as the first Anglican woman priest

Lambeth Conference concludes that the arguments for and against ordination of women are “inconclusive” – meaning there was no blanket opposition

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, rules individual provinces of the worldwide Anglican church can ordain women if they chose

Church of England’s General Synod takes first steps to ordaining women with vote that there is "no fundamental objection"

First attempt to bring legislation allowing female priests fails

General Synod votes to allow women to become deacons

General Synod votes to permit women to be ordained in the priesthood

First women priests ordained

Synod begins process of considering women bishops

Legislation to allow women bishops narrowly fails to clear the General Synod

Archbishop Justin Welby enthroned, starts new talks on women bishops

The Northern Irish priest the Rt Rev Pat Storey installed as Bishop in the Republic of Ireland

General Synod overwhelmingly votes for women bishops

Change in canon law approved by the Queen and formally enacted by the General Synod

Rt Rev Libby Lane consecrated as Bishop of Stockport at York Minster