Poll Shows Support in Anglican Church for Women Priests
A majority of regular churchgoers in the Church of England supports the ordination of women priests, according to an opinion poll published today.
The poll, conducted for the Times of London by the MORI market research organization, showed that 58% of respondents backed the ordination of women, 27% opposed it and 15% either did not know or had no opinion on the issue.
The Church of England voted in favor of women priests at its last synod in July against the advice of its spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Robert A. K. Runcie, who fears a split in the church.
Legislation on female ordination, which is opposed by a powerful traditionalist faction in the church and would eventually have to be passed by a two-thirds majority in the synod, now faces years of debate.
The survey showed that of those who backed women priests, three-quarters also supported women bishops.
The survey polled 414 adult members of the Church of England who attended church at least once a month.
Anglican churches in the United States, Brazil, Hong Kong, Canada, New Zealand and Australia already have women priests.
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