TWO women deacons in the rural diocese of Ballarat, in Victoria, are expected to be ordained priest before Christmas, after a landmark decision by the Ballarat synod last weekend. By substantial majorities, the synod adopted the 1992 General Synod legislation for women priests, overturning the diocese's long-standing opposition to women in priests' orders.

The Ballarat decision leaves four Australian dioceses where women are not ordained as priests: Sydney; Armidale, in northern NSW; North-West Australia; and the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic diocese of The Murray, in South Australia. The first three of these oppose women priests on the grounds of headship.

The first women priests in Ballarat are expected to be the Revd Sarah McKenna, who has been Deacon-in-Charge of Stawell since 2009, and the Revd Robyn Shackell, who assists in Warrnambool. Both were ordained deacon in Ballarat in 2008, after the diocese's decision to adopt the 1985 General Synod legislation for women deacons.

The Rt Revd Garry Weatherill, who became Bishop of Ballarat two years ago, after ten years as Bishop of Willochra, in South Australia, where he had ordained numbers of women priests, instigated a process of consultation around Ballarat in the lead-up to the synod vote.

It had been a "bitter-sweet experience". While he felt deeply for those for whom the decision would be a shock, he was very happy that the diocese was moving forward.

"I am deeply respectful of those who disagree," he said. "I hope loving relationships can be sustained. We are in this business together."