mixed blessing for Bermuda's clergy.

But it is unlikely to drive a damaging wedge through the Anglican Church of Bermuda.

That was the view yesterday of the Ven. Thomas Dyson, Archdeacon of Bermuda.

Archdeacon Dyson, from The Rectory, Warwick, said: "In my own clerical brethren there are people pro and con on the issue.'' But he added: "I don't think the Church of England's decision will, or can have, very much impact here. I really don't.'' Archdeacon Dyson said the issue had never been seriously debated in Bermuda.

"Personally I don't see there are any valid theological reasons against women priests.

"I think it was bound to happen eventually. I suppose, however, it does send a psychological tremor through me, because it's something that hasn't happened in 2,000 years.'' One local clergyman against ordination of women is the Rev. Ewen Ratteray, from Pembroke.

Yesterday, however, he was remaining tight-lipped over the decision, and declined to speculate on the impact on Bermuda.

The Church of England's vote yesterday was seen as one of the most important moves in its 450-year history.

By a margin of just two votes, the General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England, backed a motion to ordain women to the priesthood after a one-day debate.

All three houses of the Synod, representing bishops, clergy and ordinary churchgoers, gave the necessary two-thirds majority and the result was greeted with tears of happiness by supporters of women priests.

It will be at least 18 months before women can be ordained to the priesthood.

The vote was viewed by some as the most important in the history of the Church of England since it split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.

It is expected to alienate thousands of opponents of women priests and Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans, will face his toughest task yet in keeping the church together.

The measure scraped through by a margin of two votes in the House of Laity, where the battle had been closest fought.

The result was announced in total silence in the debating chamber, as requested by Carey. But the atmosphere was charged with emotion on what has been a deeply divisive issue for the Church of England.

The vote had required a two-thirds majority in all three houses. In the event, it received a comfortable 75 percent in the House of Bishops, 70.5 percent in the House of Clergy, and 67.3 percent in the House of Laity.

There were scenes of jubilation in the big crowd which had gathered outside Church House in central London to hear how the vote would go.

The synod was clearly aware of the possibility of a mass exodus of priests unable to reconcile the ordination of women with their consciences. It went on to debate financial help for those who may decide to resign, although Carey said he hoped the numbers would be few.

Archdeacon Dyson pointed out the decision still had to be approved by Britain's Parliament, and the Queen.

"I don't consider that a formality,'' he stressed.

Archdeacon Dyson said he had once chaired a committee of the Synod of the Anglican Church of Bermuda set up to fill a vacant living -- and a woman applicant did come forward.

He added: "She was not shortlisted, but that was because her application was not strong enough. It was nothing to do with her being a woman.'' The Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. William Down, who is believed to be in favour of women priests, was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment.