Sentence:  Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not <WSD>permit</WSD> ordination of women as ministers, but will <WSD>permit</WSD> their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for. (from 15th c.)