Welsh Clergy Vote against Ordination of Women Priests

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THE governing body of the Church in Wales yesterday voted against the ordination of women priests after a fierce debate.

The decision, taken by secret ballot at Lampeter, Dyfed, required a two-thirds majority in all three of the Church's houses - the House of Bishops, the House of Laity and the House of Clergy.

Lay members were in favour by 148 to 51. The six bishops also favoured the admission of women to the priesthood, but the clergy voted 75-47 against - enough to kill off the measure.

The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Reverend Alwyn Rice Jones, had told the 300 delegates that 77 per cent of Wales's parochial church councils favoured …