AS WE report today, the Church of England may be lumbering into the 21st century at last with its latest policy on the ordination of women bishops.

That does not mean all women priests are dead set on becoming bishops. Far from it. But they would like the same choice and opportunity as their male counterparts.

The surprise is not that the Church of England’s previously medieval stance is changing, but that it has taken so long to do so.

Depressingly, however, the situation in other faiths and branches of the Christian church is even more regressive.

Thank heavens for the prospect of one battle being won.

But women of faith have a long way to go to achieve their goal of true equality.