THE Archbishop of York said today he would have to "consider seriously" the implications of a proposed report on the possible ordination of women bishops.

Dr David Hope would not be drawn on whether he would consider his position if a "theological study", to be debated at the Church of England's General Synod meeting in York this weekend, came down in favour of women bishops.

But the Archbishop is on the traditional, Anglican Catholic wing of the Church, and makes no secret that he has deep reservations on this issue.

The study call is in a motion from the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Ven Judith Rose, which says the House of Bishops should undertake the study "focusing on the issues that need to be addressed in preparation for the debate on women in the episcopate in the Church of England".

It adds a progress report on the study should be brought back to the General Synod within the next two years.

Dr Hope - who unveiled a new portrait of himself by artist Andrew Festing to hang in the Bishopthorpe Palace drawing room alongside those of previous Archbishops - said he would speak in favour of the motion.

"There are some serious theological considerations which are relevant to the episcopate, which would need further exploration before we proceed, and that's precisely what Judith Rose's motion is asking for. It seems to me a perfectly reasonable motion, to that extent," he said.

But he added the question of women bishops had implications both nationally and internationally, and for the Church of England's relations with other churches. "I think it's important we wait and see what the report says, and in the light of that I would have to consider seriously what the implications might be."