EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - The Scottish Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly on Friday to take the first step toward appointment of women as bishops.
"I passionately believe that it is right, both in terms of time and substance, to proceed with this legislation," said the Most Rev. Bruce Cameron, head of the Scottish Episcopal Church, as he proposed the motion for women bishops at the church's General Synod.
Clergy members voted 64 in favor and eight against, while lay members voted 64 in favor and seven against.
All seven of the Scottish Episcopal Church's existing bishops supported the motion.
The measure now goes out for further debate in the seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, like the Church of England, which does not have women bishops, and the U.S. Episcopal Church, which does.
The proposed Scottish canon, or church law, will come back for a second reading next year, where it will require the support of two-thirds of members before it becomes law.