THE Church of England Synod last week voted not to allow women bishops, but many clergy in?West?Devon were in favour of the change.

In an open letter to the national Independent newspaper more than 1,000 Anglican clergy voiced their support for the ordination of women as bishops.  

Among them were many signatories from West Devon and the Diocese of Exeter including the Rev Michael Brierley, the Rev Tim Treanor, the Rev Lynne Burgon, the Rev Stephen Cook, Preb Nick Shutt, the Rev Dr Ruth Hansford and the Rev Carolyn Brodbribb.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Rowan Williams, and his successor-designate the Rt Rev Justin Welby, advocated backing for women bishops.

But despite 94% of bishops voting in support of the measure, as did 77% of the House of Clergy and 64% of the Laity, under church rules it fell short of having enough votes to succeed.

The Rev Michael Brierley, priest in charge of Tavistock and Gulworthy, was one of those signatories in the Independent.

He told the Times: 'I'm very disappointed by the vote. The archbishop is right in his comments that the decision seems incomprehensible to the rest of the world, and that it damages the church's reputation.

'I'm glad, however, that it's only a matter of time before women will be ordained as bishops: the issue will be brought back to the synod again as soon as possible.

'The only good thing that might come from this vote is that it might get people listening more carefully to each other, and so help the future legislation to be framed in such a way that even more people can stay on board with it.'

Another local Church of England cleric in favour of the Anglican Church to allow women to become bishops is the Rev Sean Brassil, the vicar of Whitchurch.

He said:'It needs to happen but we have to get it right. For those traditional people who sit in our pews week after week I think we must find the necessary steps, established in legislation, to protect their point of view.

Concerning women bishops we need to do it as its an issue and a problem for the church that will not go away.'

One of those who is not yet persuaded that the time is right for women bishops but is hoping a solution can be found to avoid any split in the church is the Rev Graham Hamilton, vicar of St Peter, Paul and Thomas at Bovey Tracey.

He said it was not the principle of women bishops that many members of the General Synod had voted against but that they felt there was not sufficient space within the church for those against it.

He said: 'Many in the church feel that it is not in accordance with the Bible's teachings and I am not persuaded, that allowing women bishops at this time, is the right action to take.

'I could be wrong and if women bishops are ordained in the future I will accept it. However, I think it would be a terrible mistake that people find themselves squeezed out of the church because of their genuine beliefs.'