160 members of the clergy in the Church in Wales are women

A letter to the Church Times signed by 101 clerics and ordinands says there is "concern" and dismay at proposals for women bishops.

They are calling for a separate bishop for "those in conscience" cannot accept the ordination of woman to the posts.

But defending the plans, Bishop of St Davids Carl Cooper said the church had only benefited from women priests.

The bill to consider consecrating women as bishops is about to be considered by a select committee of the governing body of the Church in Wales.

What women priests have brought is an enrichment and completing of ordained ministry Bishop of St Davids Carl Cooper

However, opponents said requests for a clause in the bill regarding alternative arrangements for those who did not want to serve under a woman bishop had been turned down.

Signing the letter, the Reverend Alan Rabjohns, the vicar of St Saviour's in Cardiff, adds: "If the bill were passed in its present form and unamended to provide constitutional provision, it would make it even more difficult for us serving as ordained clergy.

"We respectfully ask the select committee and governing body to consider pastorally and seriously amendments placed before them to make the bill able to promote the unity and peace of the Church in Wales."

Signatures to the letter include three women opposed to the measures being considered by the church.

Pastoral care

However, Bishop Cooper said: "For the past 10 years the church has benefited from the ministry of women priests and I do not know of any case where the ministry of those women has not been valued, appreciated and championed.

"What women priests have brought is an enrichment and completing of ordained ministry.

"There are those who oppose the bill but as a [bench of bishops] we have committed ourselves to providing appropriate pastoral care for them."

A final vote on whether the church will take the step to appoint women bishops is not expected to take place until April next year.