Some Anglican churches have threatened to break away because of the ordination of a gay bishop by the Episcopal church in the US. Steve Gray of the UCC Indiana-Kentucky Conference said he supports gay marriage but worries about the cost of this decision.
The leaders of America's Episcopalians have been at odds with most of worldwide Anglicanism since the ordination in 2003 of an openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson.
The Church of England's decision not to allow the ordination of women bishops was "wrong", said the Bishop of Truro.
BBC: Church of England's decision on women bishops was 'wrong'
An amendment for the bill to provide a male bishop for those opposed to the ordination of women bishops was also voted down.
"It is now five years since the last time the governing body considered the question of the ordination of women to the episcopate, and many of its members will have changed, " said the Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron.
BBC: Women bishops on agenda for Church in Wales governing body
Dr Williams has consistently supported the ordination of women, and previously showed no objection to the appointment of an openly gay bishop.
Dr Williams has consistently supported the ordination of women, and previously showed no objection to the appointment of an openly-gay bishop in Reading.
During the talks, the 144 members of the governing body will be put into seven groups, each headed by a bishop, to consider two papers - one outlining the case for the ordination of women and one setting out the case against.
BBC: Women bishops on agenda for Church in Wales governing body
Dr Williams will be succeeded by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby - who has said the ordination of women bishops will go ahead.
Dr Williams has consistently supported the ordination of women, and attracted criticism over his handling of the abortive appointment of an openly-gay bishop in Reading.
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