Church of England wants women bishops, Vatican says no

London: In the United Kingdom, the Church of England is taking on the Vatican.  A revolutionary change allowing women to become bishops.  If their plans go through, England could have its first woman bishop in 2014. But could the move prompt an exodus of male clergy from the church similar to the one England saw in the 90s when women were first ordained?

Call it the winds of change sweeping through the Church of England, one of the last remaining inherently male dominated bastions in the modern Western world.

While there are 5000 women priests out of a total of more than 13000 clergy in the Church of England, a move allowed in 1992 for their consecration as bishops, has been blocked time and again.

However, it is nothing short of a revolutionary change for many. Priests like Reverend Rosemary Laine Priestely, who don't have to contend with being second class citizens any more, it is a landmark of sorts.

"This means women can now hold the senior-most positions in the Church of England. It was in 1975 that the church said there were no theological objections to women in the church so it's been a long time coming," said Rev Rosemary Laine Priestely, woman priest.

But there are still some way before the landmark could be achieved women can be ordained.

Westminster Abbey, one of the oldest churches in England that already has a woman priest, but the doors are beginning to creak open to let them go up the ladder even after 2 decades , fearing infighting politicking, bickering and threats of a split in the church.

One of the main arguments of the traditionalists, who oppose this move,  is that Jesus chose only men to be his apostles and to lead the church.

There have been many attempts to appease this lobby including the suggestion that there should be male super bishops to supervise women bishops, but these were voted down in the acrimonious and emotional debate of the governing body of the church.

Therefore, there is still time before women break this glass ceiling.

"This will go to the diocese and then finally parliament" said Sally Barnes, another woman priest.

Adding fuel to the fire, is Vatican.  Even before the celebrations could begin there have  been an angry outbursts saying this move was as grave  a crime as child abuse.