Women in the Reformed churches of Switzerland are honouring two Kenyan theologians whose work is aimed at overcoming barriers to the ordination of women in the Reformed Church of East Africa.

The Lutheran Church of Sweden will today mark the 50th anniversary of its decision in 1958 to ordain women as priests, and cathedrals in all of the church's 13 dioceses are to hold services to celebrate the anniversary.

Male clergy, deans, retired bishops and lay members of the Church of England are being urged to sign an online petition calling for legislation to end discrimination against women in the Church and allow the appointment of women bishops.