Although this is controversial – there aren't really any bishops in the Bible, male or female.

But what do the opponents say?

Conservative evangelicals interpret the Bible as saying that women should not hold authority over men in the Church and that "headship" is a male role. Meanwhile traditionalist Anglo-Catholics point to the fact that Jesus's disciples were all men and say that a 2,000-year line of male-only 'apostolic succession' would be broken by women bishops and scupper any hopes of eventual reunification with the Roman Catholic Church.

What do people in the pews say?

All sides agree that a large majority of the Church's members support having women bishops, although the exact proportion is arguable. In a recent consultation exercise individual dioceses in the CofE were asked to vote on the proposals. Of the 43 which held votes, the result was 43-0 in favour. However some claim that those opposed could make up about a quarter of regular churchgoers.

So why hasn't it happened already?

In order to hold the Church together, all sides agree there should be some kind of compromise allowing those with theological objections to opt out of the authority of a woman bishop just as some parishes don't have women priests. The sticking point has been working out what kind of special provision would be acceptable to all sides.

What is proposed this time?

In theory, it is very simple. Unlike in the past, when complicated codes of practice were planned specifying how the opt-out arrangements would work, each bishop will be trusted to decide what sort of arrangement would best suit their area. They would however have a legal requirement to abide by a set of principles designed to ensure that minorities are properly accommodated.
Why are people more confident it will pass this time?

No one can be sure if the final result but those taking part say there is a lot more trust this time. Instead of banging heads together the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, asked representatives of all sides to go to mediation sessions with experts more used to dealing with African warlords as part of an extraordinary exercise inspired by the Northern Ireland peace process. At one point members of the Synod took part in what some have joked was more like group therapy session, even involving drama.

That must have been quite a sight.

Indeed, although cameras were strictly forbidden.

If it passes will there be an exodus of traditionalists?

Probably not. A significant number of traditionalist Anglo-Catholics left the CofE and joined the Roman Catholic Church after the ordination of women priests but most of those from the Anglo-Catholic side who were likely to leave have already done so. Although those remaining will vote against women bishops on principle they have signalled they are willing to work within the new arrangements.
The conservative evangelical camp's plans are arguably more complicated. Again there is unlikely to be a visible rush for the exit but some traditionalist evangelicals could become an informal church within a church. Although they would formally remain in the CofE, moves are already afoot for them to start looking for day-to-day oversight to bishops from Africa or other parts of the Anglican Communion who share their stance on issues such as gay marriage as well as the women question.

What happens if it fails?

All bets would be off. When previous legislation collapsed in November 2012 MPs called for Parliament to step in and impose women bishops on the church using equality laws. That threat helped ensure that the Synod brought the issue back so quickly. There is already talk of the bishops in the House of Lords tabling a bill to bring in women bishops through Parliamentary means or simply dissolving the Synod and starting again. Both would be high risk strategies and could leave the church divided for years to come.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops will be praying hard that it will not come to that.

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