The Church of England is to review its policy towards same-sex relationships and consider allowing gay clergy to be ordained as bishops.
It comes after a rise in the number of clergy entering civil partnerships.
There is also pressure on the Church to conform to laws guaranteeing equal treatment to gay people.
Lawyers have said the Church could not reject clergy as potential bishops on the basis of their homosexual orientation alone.
The Church of England told clergy in 2005 they could enter civil partnerships if they remained celibate, but uncertainty has arisen about whether such clergy could be nominated as bishops.
