The Church of England’s governing body voted overwhelmingly in favour of female bishops yesterday, ending a 20-year impasse that could see women ordained as senior clergy by the end of 2014.

A vote on a package of measures to endorse women bishops was supported by 378 members of the General Synod while eight voted against and 25 abstained after months of behind-the-scenes talks to unite reformers and traditionalists.

A year ago, a blocking minority rejected draft legislation on women bishops, leaving the church in crisis. That vote, lost by just six votes, was criticised by Parliament.

After that, church leaders set up a committee to find common ground.

The legislation will be discussed again at a meeting in February and a vote on final approval is likely in 2014.

The issue of female clergy has divided global Anglicanism. Women serve as bishops in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand but Anglican churches in many developing countries do not even ordain them as priests.