The leader of America's two million Episcopalians, the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, also welcomed the move.

BBC: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby: World reaction

The biggest liberal gain was the election of a gay-friendly woman, Katharine Jefferts Schori, as presiding bishop.

ECONOMIST: When you're a church, breaking up is hard to do

In 2006 the Episcopalian Church in the United States became the first province of the Anglican Communion to elect a woman to the role of Primate (a senior bishop - the equivalent of an archbishop) - the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori.

BBC: Women bishops: A century-long struggle for recognition