Church of England formally approves plans for women bishops

The Church of England has formally adopted legislation which means its first female bishops could be ordained next year.
The amendment was passed with a show of hands at the general synod.
The first women priests were ordained in 1994, but to date they have not been able to take on the Church's most senior roles.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the move meant the start of "a new way of being the church".
But divisions remain between Anglicans who feel it is consistent with their faith and traditionalists who disagree.
The general synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July.
A prior move to allow women to stand as bishops was defeated in 2012 by six votes cast by lay members of the general synod, the law-making body of the Church of England.

'Changing the culture'
The vote on Monday at the general synod meeting at Church House in Westminster gave the final seal of approval to the legislation, following its passage through Parliament in October.

The amendment was passed with a show of hands

It is thought the first appointments could come early next year

The Archbishop of Canterbury addressed the Synod after the legislation was formally adopted
The final legislative requirements took place during a session chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.
The change means the addition of a sentence to Canon 33, stating: "A man or a woman may be consecrated to the office of bishop."
Archbishop Welby said: "Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the church and moving forward together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing of the church of those who disagree."