In his opening remarks, Pope Francis spoke of an “ecumenism of blood” as he told the Bishops that they needed to deal with an issue in the Christian Church. Making reference to his recent trip to Albania, he said “Today we see how Christians are being persecuted. I was just in Albania. They were not asking them whether they were Catholic or Orthodox. If they were Christian … BANG! They would kill you.

He continued, "Are we worse now than under Sadam? A million times worse."

Speaking to an audience at the Life Center church in Takoma, White was critical of Obama's decision to pull troops out of the country in 2011, instead of leaving over 10,000 soldiers, which the Iraqi government had requested.

The GTS Board of Trustees saw fit last Friday to release a statement that prematurely implied our return to the Seminary was imminent. We therefore believe it is necessary to clarify just where we are in the negotiating process.

From the outset, the central issue we have sought to address is the existence of an abusive environment at GTS. This is why we called our Facebook page "Safe Space." Many of the details have been well-publicized and do not need repeating here.

To calls of "hear hear" from MPs, Mr Bercow said: "Her Majesty has signified her royal assent to the following measure: Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014."

Moving the motion in the Commons on Monday, Sir Tony Baldry, the second church estates commissioner, suggested legislation could be fast-tracked to allow a female bishop to join the House of Lords.