Religion - CoE

Church of England to consider introducing 'super-bishops' to avert crisis over women

· General Synod will discuss proposal at meeting today
· Reports of conservatives in secret talks with Vatican

The Church of England will today consider a plan to create a new tier of clergy in an attempt to avert a split over women bishops.

The plan for "super-bishops", who will oversee parishes opposed to women bishops, is one of several proposals to be discussed at a meeting today of the Church of England's national assembly, the General Synod, taking place in York.

More than one thousand traditionalist clergy have threatened to leave the Church of England, with some demanding men-clergy only churches or spiritual "gender havens".

Rows over women bishops are threatening to split the church, and today's debate has been overshadowed by reports of secret summits between conservative Anglican bishops and Vatican officials.

The reports were denied yesterday by the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, a senior source in Rome has told the Guardian that as many as six Church of England bishops, who have not been named, flew to the city to discuss their fears over Anglican policy on gay ministers and female bishops.

Their meetings have led to speculation that they were exploring the possibility of defecting to Catholicism. Williams was aware of some of the meetings, the source added. Although the Vatican has previously supported Williams in his attempt to uphold wider Anglican unity, even as protests grow over gay and women clergy, the source said the Church of England's moves to ordain female bishops could change the relationship between the Church of England and the Vatican.

Indeed perhaps those who are getting upset about women bishop should join the Catholic church, good riddance I say.

Where in the bible does it specifically say that the Bishop has to be a male? sounds like these 'traditionalists' cannot bear the thought of a woman in control.