As the Church of England looks forward to its General Synod in York next month, the divisive issue of women bishops has come to the forefront of debate, and looks set to dominate discussions during the July gathering, report the Church of England newspaper.

|PIC1|Prior to the Synod, a debate is scheduled to take place from which a theological standpoint on the issue of women bishops is hoped to be resolved.

The debate will come at a highly sensitive time for the worldwide Anglican Communion, following the controversial election of the Rt Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori as the new leader of the American Episcopal Church earlier this week.

The Synod will be invited by the House of Bishops to agree to an establishment of a legislative drafting group. The purpose of the group would be to draw up a range of options to take the situation forward if the motion is carried.

Another primary topic set to be discussed in depth at the Synod will be the recently released ‘Faithful Cities’ report, which urged the British government to do more to close the increasing gap between the rich and the poor throughout Britain’s major cities.

A whole afternoon has been dedicated to decide a motion on the report, and how the Church can best take the matter forward.

|TOP|Further education will be another hot area of debate, with a motion to increase pressure on the government to admit increased provisions for the spiritual and moral development in further education colleges, as well as more provisions for chaplaincies, report the Church of England newspaper.

Other items on the agenda include the environment and carbon dioxide emissions, married couples’ allowances, the work of the Church Commissioners, pensions, clergy terms of service and the recent World Council of Churches Assembly in Brazil.

The structure of mission initiatives throughout England’s dioceses will also be discussed via new legislature, with the hope to increase efficiency in church outreaches.

Marriage will be examined in July also, with the Synod looking at more ways to make it easier for couples to marry within the churches when the draft Marriage Measure is considered.

The Synod will take place in York in July, with the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev John Sentamu set to provide the Presidential Address to the Synod members.