The Church of England's governing body faces a bruising battle over consecrating women bishops that could spark a mass exit from the Anglican Church by disgruntled traditionalists.
The issue of the "stained-glass ceiling" stopping women rising up the church ladder ranks with the ordination of gay clergy as one of the most disruptive in the Anglican Church.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, already battling to avoid a schism over conservative anger at the consecration of an openly gay U.S. bishop, faces a delicate balancing act at the latest general synod of the Church of England, which starts on Friday.
Church leaders, faced with defection by up to 1,300 clergy from the traditionalist wing, are pinning their hopes on an elaborate compromise allowing dissenting parishes to stick with male bishops if they wish.
A Church of England spokesman, spelling out the synod timetable, told Reuters: "The discussions will be about whether there should be formal arrangements for those who, in conscience, cannot accept women bishops or whether a code of practice should be adopted."
A vote is due on Monday on the next step at the synod meeting in the northern English city of York. But he stressed that final legislation was not expected before 2012.
If the compromise wins full acceptance after a possible timetable is mapped out, Williams may one day be succeeded by a woman as spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans.
Anglicans in Canada, the United States and New Zealand already have women bishops.
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