The Salisbury diocese of the Church of England, which takes in Marlborough, has given overwhelming support to the controversial General Synod proposals for the creation of women bishops.
The total of votes cast showed 86 for, eight against and just two abstentions.
“It’s important to note that the vote concerned acceptance of the legislation,” diocese communications co-ordinator Michael Ford told Marlborough News Online. “Whether or not we have women bishops has already been decided — we will.”
“The CofE expects the first woman bishop to be announced in the next few years if today’s General Synod vote is a yes.”
The motion in favour was carried in all three sections in the diocese, the House of Bishops voting one, as Salisbury had only its own Bishop Nick Holtham at the time.
The House of Clergy voted 37 for, two against with one abstention and the House of Laity voted 48 for, six against and one abstention.
There are no known vociferous objections from clergy or church members in the Marlborough area.
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