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.

After decades of debate and argument, the Anglican Church in Australia now have one female bishop, and they will get a second within 10 days of the first woman's consecration.

The Church in Wales yesterday rejected a Bill which would have allowed women to be ordained as bishops. The measure was voted down by just three votes. Archbishop Barry Morgan spoke of his “deep disappointment”.

Members of the Church of England's General Synod have been told that it is 'highly unlikely' that a vote to allow women to become bishops will be taken before 2010. In the meantime the UK Parliament will continue to be the only democracy in the world with places exclusively reserved for men.