The result was that the two churches held separate services, breaking a tradition of united worship which was established in the 1940s. But the rift is now having repercussions across the wider Presbyterian Church - and is likely to be raised at next year's General Assembly.

Although the Presbyterian Church first appointed women elders in the 1920s, and the General Assembly voted in 1973 in favour of the ordination of women, it seems that there are elements within the church who still have deep-seated problems with female clergy.

Indeed, the Rev Stafford Carson from First Portadown has received the backing of a number of other churches for the stance he has taken. They say it is a matter of conscience, and draw on the words of St Paul to back up their position.

For her part, the Rev Christina Bradley from Armagh Road church has expressed hurt that she should have been excluded from a service on the grounds of gender. So far, she has been measured in her public comments, but she is right not to brush this important issue under the carpet.

The Presbyterian Church may wish to prevent a split, but it cannot afford to sit on the fence. The General Assembly needs to decide its policy and implement it at the earliest opportunity.

Either it ratifies its policy or ordaining women - and instructs all serving clergy to fall in line - or it takes a step back into the dark ages and decides to banish women from the pulpit. Further equivocation will undermine the church's credibility.

A decision to end the ordination of women would be a retrograde step which would have serious consequences. Not just women ministers but women members - the backbone of many congregations - would feel devalued.

The traditionalists select scripture selectively, and prefer to ignore the fact that society has changed massively since St Paul's time. Women are no longer subservient to men, and gender equality is now both a moral and a legal imperative.

This is an issue which cannot be ducked by Presbyterians or by other denominations - including the Catholic church. At a time when vocations are on the decline, no religious body can afford to turn its back on the talents which women ministers have to offer.

As many Presbyterian congregations already know, women clergy play a key role. Church House must clarify matters - and reassure its female ministers that they are regarded as full equals.