Scottish Episcopal Church approves women bishops

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) The Scottish Episcopal Church synod has approved women as bishops, a step the separate Church of England has yet to take although it has women priests.

To date, Anglican women bishops have been elevated in Canada, New Zealand and the United States' Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion reported, while the Anglican Church of Ireland authorized women bishops but has not yet elected one.

The synod vowed that those who ''cannot in conscience agree'' with the change ''will continue for all time to come to have a valued place'' within the Scottish church.

It also noted the lack of consensus among other Christian branches and expressed sorrow for any further division the decision might cause.

http://www.scotland.anglican.org/