A LOOMING decision next week to allow women to become bishops has been hailed as a “massive step forward” by a Hampshire MP.

The House of Commons is expected to clear the move on Monday – one week after the measure cleared the Lords – probably without a vote.

MPs will accept the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure, which passed through the Church of England’s General Synod last July by the required twothirds majority.

Caroline Nokes, the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: “It has been a long time coming and is a massive step forwards for the Church.”

Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, called for legislation before next May’s General Election, which would allow the bishops’ benches in the Lords to include women.

However, members of the Church will be allowed to opt out of the ministry of women bishops – despite the Archbishop admitting they could be viewed as “irritating, embarrassing or plain wrong”.