1944

First female Anglican priest, Revd Li Tim-Oi, ordained in the Province of Hong Kong during WWII (she was later pressured to restrain from priestly ministry because of her sex)

1974

First female Anglican priest ordained in US

1975

CofE General Synod votes that there is ‘no fundamental objection to the ordination of women to the priesthood’

1979

The Movement for the Ordination of Women (‘MOW’) is launched in England

1985

General Synod votes to allow women to become deacons (but not priests or bishops)

1987

First female deacons ordained in the Church of England

1992

General Synod votes by two thirds majority in all three Houses (Bishops, Priests and Laity) to allow women to become priests

Some are unhappy and immediately start lobbying for restrictions on women’s ministries.

1993

UK Parliament is lobbied and puts pressure on CofE bishops to allow churches to limit women’s ministries, and so The Act of Synod is introduced - allowing churches to say no to a female priest either being their vicar and/or celebrating Communion

“Flying bishops” are introduced – male bishops who do not ordain women - to be bishops for those who will not accept a female bishop (nor a male bishop who ordains women)

1994

1,500 women ordained as priests and MOW is wound up

1996

WATCH is launched to challenge the continued discrimination against women and to campaign for women to be bishops.

2006

General Synod passes motion that having female bishops is ‘consonant’ with the faith of the Church

2010-2011

Draft legislation for female bishops is circulated to all dioceses and 42 out of 44 approve it (with only London and Chichester voting it down)

2012

General Synod votes on legislation for female bishops but fails to achieve a 2/3 majority in the House of Laity

Prime Minister, David Cameron, says to a shocked nation, ‘It’s time for the Church to get with the programme’

2014

General Synod finally agrees to new legislation permitting female bishops, but still allows churches to opt out

Although the Act of Synod is rescinded, it is replaced by the Five Guiding Principles that still allow churches to say no to a female priest either being their vicar and/or celebrating Communion

2015

Rev Libby Lane is the first woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the CofE (in a suffragan or assistant role)

Rev Rachel Treweek is the first woman to be consecrated as a diocesan bishop and, as such, is the first female bishop to take a seat in the House of Lords

2025

Only 11 diocesan bishops are women, out of a possible 42 posts

Timeline