AS a practising non-conformist Christian, I find myself amazed at all this fuss about women priests failing to get the go-ahead to be made bishops.

I heard quotes such as 'A terrible day for the church of England' and 'So sad, a missed opportunity', etc.

As an interested onlooker, why is there so much enthusiasm for lady bishops, something to me that seems doctrinally wrong when reading the good book.

We already have numerous women doing a wonderful job leading the worship in our churches — in our Methodist Chapels, lady ministers and local preachers.

Perhaps the emphasis should be on proclaiming the good news of salvation in Jesus, and not on all this hysteria about women bishops. A step too far!

Tony Smith

Lydford