IT’S FUNNY how often history is made by a show of hands. The latest earth-shattering vote was made by the Church of England’s general synod, which has finally decided to ordain female bishops.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, says this marks the start of “a new way of being for the church”. It could certainly do with one, after all these have been pretty lean years, what with dwindling congregations, not to mention adverse publicity.

And who better to lead the way than the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York Minster. We don’t know whether Dean Faull would wish to become a bishop, but wouldn’t she be great?

Whatever happens, the decision to appoint female bishops should be warmly welcomed.