IT has been a tumultuous week for the Reverend Prebendary Kay Garlick, former parish priest for the Wormelow hundred group of parishes near Ross and now Cathedral Chaplain. She was in York with the General Synod discussing the possible consecration of women Bishops.

Speaking to the Ross Gazette Kay said: "This is not a feminist question. It's because God wants us to work together, men and women. God makes no distinction."

Kay was at the centre of the action in her role as one of Hereford Diocese's representatives on the General Synod. It is a role she has held for 15 years and is now reaching the end of her third quinquennium – five year term.

As part of her Synod responsibilities, Kay is also Chair of the business committee. It is here she plays a significant role in drafting the agenda for the twice–yearly meetings of the General Synod: determining when items will be discussed and how they might best be dealt with.

It is for this position that Kay has reluctantly acquired the epithet, 'the most powerful women in the Church of England'. "It's not true," she toldedit the Ross Gazette. She was pleased to be the first female priest on Archbishop's Council and first woman to Chair the business committee. "It is a terrible responsibility to get it right because if you get it wrong it's because you're a woman."

To read this article in full see this week's Ross Gazette