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First female Church of England

bishop consecrated in YorkLibby Lane made bishop of Stockport, despite

interruption of Paul Williamson, who has history

of opposing female priestsEmail

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Andrew Brownin York

The Guardian, Monday 26 January 2015 13.07 GMT

Jump to comments (386)

The first female Church of England bishop, Libby Lane, is consecrated

by the archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Photograph: Lynne

Cameron/PA

The Rt Rev Libby Lane has been made the bishop of

Stockport with solemn oaths, high ceremony, and a

sermon that drew on Call the Midwife in York Minster.

Since it was first built in AD637, the building has seen

Viking raids, civil war, and even German bombing, butnever a woman among the tends of thousands of

bishops made here. Bishop Lanes consecration was

greeted with joy within the building and outside it

although the ceremony was interrupted by a lone

protester who objected when the archbishop of York

asked the congregation to consent to Lanes

appointment.

Women have been consecrated as bishops in many

parts of the worldwide Anglican communion since

1989, and as priests in England since 1994, but

opponents put up a long resistance to their furtherpromotion, which only became possible last autumn.

Frenchcoco, 42 Tudor, 39

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Roman Catholic bishops, who frequently attend

important Anglican occasions, were absent. The

service marked a final and decisive break with the

tradition of an all-male priesthood.

Dr John Sentamu, the Rev Libby Lane, centre, and the bishop of

Chester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA

Bishop Lane swore obedience to the queen, and to the

archbishop of York and their successors. She heardJesuss instructions to his disciples from the gospel of

Luke: I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of

wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet

no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say

peace to this house!

In the sermon, the archdeacon of York, the venerable

Sarah Bullock, described God as God our midwife,

and preached on a Christmas episode of BBC1s Call

the Midwife. Like Cynthia, we all have so little to offer

and so little to sacrifice, she said. Later she concluded

that it was all about Jesus.

Members of the clergy process into York minster for the consecration.

Photograph: Lynne Cameron/AFP/Getty Images

The congregation was asked to assent to Bishop

Lanes consecration. As the congregation of nearly

2,000 people replied It is, a man stepped forward near

the altar and shouted: No. Not in my name. Not in the

Bible. With respect, your grace, I ask to speak on this

absolute impediment, please.

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Libby Lane has become a bishop despite fierce opposition from

traditionalists. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/AFP/Getty Images

Dr Sentamu read out a pre-prepared statement and

repeated his question. There was no further interruption

and the service continued.

Sentamu read a long legal justification for his acts. He

asked the congregation again and their consent wasstill louder and this time unanimous. Ive worked in

York Minster for 15 years and Ive never heard a shout

as loud as that, said Eleanor Course, one of the

congregation, of the shout of assent.

The protester was later identified as the Rev Paul

Williamson, who once tried to charge an earlier

archbishop of Canterbury with high treason for

ordaining female priests.

With a quiet rumble the bishops in scarlet and white

rose from their seats to gather round and lay hands on

Lane and on each other in a sign that she, like they,

had a physical connection running back nearly 2,000

years to the disciples whom Jesus had touched.

Sentamu anointed her with oil as she knelt in front of

the congregation. He gave her a Bible. The act was

done. History was made. The congregation burst into

prolonged applause, led by the archbishops, and she

bowed her head at them.

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esra

I wonder if Paul Williamson ever trims the edge of his beard, eats shellfish or wears

blended fabrics.. etc etc etc..

26 January 2015 1:15pm

157

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