Unequal treatment of women undermines the whole church’s calling to care for the needy and challenge the world by witnessing to the possibility of a new way of life in which none are exploited or marginalised, says Savi Hensman, and she examines the latest machinations around women's ministry in the Church of England.

Irja Askola has become the first woman to be elected as a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, a step seen as a "milestone" by Lutherans globally.

The campaign group WATCH (Women and the Church) has expressed "deep regret" that there will be no debate on the draft legislation for women bishops at the forthcoming General Synod of the Church of England - its governing body.

Over 500 Church of England clergy are meeting today to consider the Pope's offer for them to join their own section of the Roman Catholic Church. But sceptics point out that false claims of a 'mass exodus' have been made before.