20 November 2012 Last updated at 13:29 ET

Church of England general synod votes against women bishops

The general synod of the Church of England has voted against the appointment of women as bishops.

The decision came at the end of a day of debate by supporters and opponents - and a 12-year legislative process.

The measure was passed by the synod's houses of bishops and clergy but was rejected by the house of laity.

Controversy had centred on the provisions for parishes opposed to women bishops to request supervision by a stand-in male bishop.

The measure needed two-thirds majorities in each of the synod's three houses.

The votes were 44 for and two against in the house of bishops, 148 for and 45 against in the house of clergy, and 132 for and 74 against in the house of laity.

The vote in the house of laity, at 64%, was just short of the required majority.

A handful more of "yes" votes would have tipped them over the two-thirds mark.

Source : bbc[dot]co[dot]uk