After seven hours of discussion today - and several years before that - the Church of England has voted not to allow women to become bishops.

The general Synod today met at Church House in London to discuss the contentious issue. Eventually, the vote was won among the clergy and bishops, but lost among the laity. It needed a two-thirds majority in all three houses to pass.

As reformer Giles Fraser, former canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, put it:

Church of England Synod = pathetic.

— Giles Fraser (@giles_fraser) November 20, 2012 [2]

However, Richard Coles was more sanguine:

OK. Deep breath. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Everything else is secondary.

— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) November 20, 2012 [3]