This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/25/guardian-view-libby-lane-consecration-bishop-stockport

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The Guardian view on Libby Lane’s consecration as bishop of Stockport: a hands-on approach The Guardian view on Libby Lane’s consecration as bishop of Stockport: a hands-on approach
(about 15 hours later)
The consecration at York Minsteron Monday of the Rev Libby Lane as the new bishop of Stockport shows that the Church of England has got at least one foot in the 21st century; the consecration next week of the Rev Philip North as bishop of Burnley shows that it still has a rump in the fifth. The consecration at York Minster on Monday of the Rev Libby Lane as the new bishop of Stockport shows that the Church of England has got at least one foot in the 21st century; the consecration next week of the Rev Philip North as bishop of Burnley shows that it still has a rump in the fifth.
She will be the first female bishop in the church’s history; he has been chosen partly because he represents the irreconcilable opponents of women as priests or bishops. When she is consecrated, almost all the other bishops of the northern part of the Church of England will gather round to lay their hands on her, and on each other, as a sign and an enactment of the physical links that run back through the centuries to the disciples whom Jesus first touched; when he is consecrated, only three bishops will touch him, and they will be ones who have taken care never to touch a woman in the sacramental way that will welcome her as a bishop.She will be the first female bishop in the church’s history; he has been chosen partly because he represents the irreconcilable opponents of women as priests or bishops. When she is consecrated, almost all the other bishops of the northern part of the Church of England will gather round to lay their hands on her, and on each other, as a sign and an enactment of the physical links that run back through the centuries to the disciples whom Jesus first touched; when he is consecrated, only three bishops will touch him, and they will be ones who have taken care never to touch a woman in the sacramental way that will welcome her as a bishop.
Of course the national focus will rightly be on her consecration, and not on his. The Church of England will be cheered as well as enriched by her promotion. It brings to an end 50 years or more of struggle and doubt. The other women who will undoubtedly follow her will also bring a huge amount to the church. We welcome this.Of course the national focus will rightly be on her consecration, and not on his. The Church of England will be cheered as well as enriched by her promotion. It brings to an end 50 years or more of struggle and doubt. The other women who will undoubtedly follow her will also bring a huge amount to the church. We welcome this.
It is not enough to greet her consecration with no more than an “about time too”. There are particular reasons why female bishops will be a refreshment to the church, not least that they are the last generation of bishops to have spent a long time in unpromising and unglamorous jobs and learning all the lessons that can only be learned that way. Women in senior positions are not in themselves sufficient to change the church in all the ways it must change to survive and even flourish. But their appointment to positions of visible power and influence is an entirely necessary precondition for all the other changes that must come. It is a cause for rejoicing in and of itself. We rejoice with the Rev Lane and all her sisters who have waited for this moment, and with all those who will follow her. It is not enough to greet her consecration with no more than an “about time too”. There are particular reasons why female bishops will be a refreshment to the church, not least that they are the last generation of bishops to have spent a long time in unpromising and unglamorous jobs and learning all the lessons that can only be learned that way. Women in senior positions are not in themselves sufficient to change the church in all the ways it must change to survive and even flourish. But their appointment to positions of visible power and influence is an entirely necessary precondition for all the other changes that must come. It is a cause for rejoicing in and of itself. We rejoice with Lane and all her sisters who have waited for this moment, and with all those who will follow her.
What, though, should we make of the consecration that will follow a week later, of a man who will not be touched by any hands that have treated a woman as if she were a real bishop. This seems an extraordinary concession towards a view of women, and of authority, that the vast majority of churchgoers regard as immoral and unchristian. Is it the chivalrous treatment of a defeated enemy, or a concession to the misogynist bigotry that has done so much to disfigure Christianity? The Rev North may not have been responsible for these arrangements. An important point is that he is clearly going to make a good bishop, whatever his views on women. He has spent most of his career working among poor people in unfashionable places. If men of his views are to be promoted at all – as both archbishops have promised they will be – then he is clearly a well-qualified example, and may be almost as good at the job as many of the women who will follow Libby Lane. In the generous and joyful spirit that should attend her consecration, we will welcome his, as well. But mostly hers. What, though, should we make of the consecration that will follow a week later, of a man who will not be touched by any hands that have treated a woman as if she were a real bishop. This seems an extraordinary concession towards a view of women, and of authority, that the vast majority of churchgoers regard as immoral and unchristian. Is it the chivalrous treatment of a defeated enemy, or a concession to the misogynist bigotry that has done so much to disfigure Christianity? North may not have been responsible for these arrangements. An important point is that he is clearly going to make a good bishop, whatever his views on women. He has spent most of his career working among poor people in unfashionable places. If men of his views are to be promoted at all – as both archbishops have promised they will be – then he is clearly a well-qualified example, and may be almost as good at the job as many of the women who will follow Libby Lane. In the generous and joyful spirit that should attend her consecration, we will welcome his, as well. But mostly hers.
• This article was amended on 26 January 2015. Because of an editing error, an earlier version referred incorrectly to the Rev Lane and the Rev North.