08/07/2012

On the eve of the Church of England's historic vote on women Bishops, Edward Stourton presents a special programme from the Church's General Synod in York.

From the debating chambers to the tea rooms, Trevor Barnes reports on the final hurdles faced by the women Bishop's legislation before it reaches Monday's historic vote.

"Being an Anglican can feel like being driven at 55 miles an hour down the middle lane of the M4. Traffic zooms past, both sides". Quentin Letts offers a view from the pews.

Is Synod democratic? Or in its quest to be inclusive does it end up satisfying no one? Kevin Bocquet reports.

A private members motion being debated at Synod calls for the church to support the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. If passed the Chief Rabbi says it would do serious damage to Jewish-Christian relations. Edward debates the issues with Dr John Dinnen and Jonathan Arkush.

24 hours before the start of the final debate Edward asks is the Church still too riven with division for the women Bishops legislation to pass? Joining the debate are: Bishop Pete Broadbent, Rev Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Alison Ruoff.

Also in the news...

Where do British Muslims fit in the Army of 2020? One senior officer says they are planning to recruit more ethnic minority soldiers in the future. We ask how much of a challenge that is going to be in practice.

And one year on from the birth of South Sudan, Christian Aid's Rocco Blume describes the on-going challenges facing the world's newest country.