THE Bishop of Hull has accused the Church of England of "dragging its feet" over the issue of whether to allow women to take up the post.
Speaking to the Mail ahead of an expected vote next month, the Rt Rev Richard Frith revealed there is now widespread support from within the Church for women.
Mr Frith said: "I think we have dragged our feet on this one but I am confident we will get there in the end.
"Every single diocese in England has voted for women bishops, so it would be outrageous if the General Synod were to go against those views."
It is possible the first woman bishop could be ordained later this year, said Mr Frith.
The Church decided in 1994 that women could be priests.
However, the question of women bishops has proved to be a sticking point, with Evangelicals firmly opposed to the idea.
The last attempt to allow women bishops failed in November 2012.
While it passed in the Houses of Bishops and Clergy, it failed to gain the required two-thirds majority in the House of Laity.
These latest proposals envisage safeguards for the opponents, such as allowing them to request male priests and bishops to look after their parishes.
Disputes could be ruled on by an independent reviewer or ombudsman.
Mr Frith says he does not agree with the views held by the antis, but believes their wishes should be taken into account.
"There are some who say Jesus only had male disciples, so women should not be allowed to become bishops," he said.
"But these people are in the minority. I do not share their views, but I respect them."
Mr Frith said it is entirely possible his eventual successor could be a woman.
"I think people in Hull would respond very well to that idea," he said.
"I believe it's important men and women work together. Men and women complement each other."
Asked if he believes the Church should be doing move to move with the time, Mr Frith said: "That's the big question we find ourselves asking. When should we reflect wider society?"
In September last year, the Reverend Pat Storey, rector of St Augustine's in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was appointed Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare.
She was the first woman Anglican bishop in the UK and Ireland.
Women bishops exist in Australia, Canada, Cuba, India, New Zealand, Swaziland, South Africa and the US.
It is likely women bishops' approval by the Church of England would encourage those calling for the ordination of women in the Roman Catholic Church.
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