Church of England 'faces crisis' over bishops

The Church of England is facing a “major constitutional crisis” following the defeat of legislation to introduce the first women bishops, according to an internal document written by one of its most senior staff.

Steps must be taken by July next year to consecrate women bishops and vote them through by 2015, or it risks the matter being taken out of its hands by Parliament, a memo by William Fittall, secretary general to the General Synod, said.