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Libby Lane: First female Church of England bishop consecrated Libby Lane: First female Church of England bishop consecrated
(18 minutes later)
The Church of England has consecrated its first female bishop during a ceremony at York Minster.The Church of England has consecrated its first female bishop during a ceremony at York Minster.
The Reverend Libby Lane, 48, has been ordained as the new Bishop of Stockport in front of more than 1,000 people.The Reverend Libby Lane, 48, has been ordained as the new Bishop of Stockport in front of more than 1,000 people.
The Church formally adopted legislation last November to allow women bishops, in a move which ended a centuries-old tradition of exclusively male bishops.The Church formally adopted legislation last November to allow women bishops, in a move which ended a centuries-old tradition of exclusively male bishops.
The move continues to divide some Anglicans. The service was briefly delayed by an opponent of the changes.The move continues to divide some Anglicans. The service was briefly delayed by an opponent of the changes.
The opponent, a man, stepped forward shouting "not in the Bible" after the Archbishop of York asked the church if the Reverend Lane should be ordained as a bishop.The opponent, a man, stepped forward shouting "not in the Bible" after the Archbishop of York asked the church if the Reverend Lane should be ordained as a bishop.
The second time Dr John Sentamu asked the congregation, there was no opposition and the consecration, or the process of being made holy, took place.The second time Dr John Sentamu asked the congregation, there was no opposition and the consecration, or the process of being made holy, took place.
The service was led by Dr Sentamu, during which he and other bishops laid their hands on Mrs Lane and prayed. This was followed by lengthy applause.The service was led by Dr Sentamu, during which he and other bishops laid their hands on Mrs Lane and prayed. This was followed by lengthy applause.
Mrs Lane has been vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007.Mrs Lane has been vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007.
AnalysisAnalysis
By John McManus, Social Affairs reporter, BBC NewsBy John McManus, Social Affairs reporter, BBC News
Straddling metropolitan Manchester and leafy Cheshire, Stockport has often been in the shadow of its two neighbours, but now it has its own claim to fame with England's first female Bishop, perhaps the first of many.Straddling metropolitan Manchester and leafy Cheshire, Stockport has often been in the shadow of its two neighbours, but now it has its own claim to fame with England's first female Bishop, perhaps the first of many.
Don't expect a sudden rush of new women bishops, though. The Church is a slow-moving edifice.Don't expect a sudden rush of new women bishops, though. The Church is a slow-moving edifice.
It took many years of argument to bring itself to this point, and many who opposed the move are bewildered and unhappy.It took many years of argument to bring itself to this point, and many who opposed the move are bewildered and unhappy.
They will not be celebrating today so senior clergy who back women bishops are anxious not to rock the boat so much that it starts taking on water.They will not be celebrating today so senior clergy who back women bishops are anxious not to rock the boat so much that it starts taking on water.
A small number of clergy and lay people already left to join the Catholic Church in 2011 over this issue. A small number of clergy and lay people left to join the Catholic Church in 2011 over this issue.
More departures for Rome are unlikely, but the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are aware that while Anglicanism is a broad church, so to speak - they need to keep paddling hard to keep all its members on board.More departures for Rome are unlikely, but the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are aware that while Anglicanism is a broad church, so to speak - they need to keep paddling hard to keep all its members on board.
'Very emotional''Very emotional'
Mrs Lane had said the consecration would be a very "emotional" moment.Mrs Lane had said the consecration would be a very "emotional" moment.
She said: "It is a remarkable thing that this happens to me, and people have been very supportive of me personally, but actually this is about a moment in the Church's history."She said: "It is a remarkable thing that this happens to me, and people have been very supportive of me personally, but actually this is about a moment in the Church's history."
It would be "a very profound, remarkable moment for me then and for my future ministry", she said.It would be "a very profound, remarkable moment for me then and for my future ministry", she said.
Mrs Lane said more than 100 bishops were travelling to York for the service.Mrs Lane said more than 100 bishops were travelling to York for the service.
Who is Reverend Libby Lane?Who is Reverend Libby Lane?
Who is the Church of England's first female bishop?Who is the Church of England's first female bishop?
Her consecration comes more than 20 years after women became priests in the Church of England.Her consecration comes more than 20 years after women became priests in the Church of England.
And it comes after the general synod gave the final seal of approval to the legislation on women bishops following its passage through Parliament last year.And it comes after the general synod gave the final seal of approval to the legislation on women bishops following its passage through Parliament last year.
After the change was approved, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that the Church was entering a "completely new phase of our existence".After the change was approved, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that the Church was entering a "completely new phase of our existence".
But divisions still remain between Anglicans who feel the change is consistent with their faith and traditionalists who disagree.But divisions still remain between Anglicans who feel the change is consistent with their faith and traditionalists who disagree.
Opponents of women bishops include some Church of England evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics who believe scripture requires male headship in the Church. Opponents of women bishops include some who place great importance on the laying on of hands in the consecration of bishops and wish to be looked after by bishops not affected by the involvement of women at any stage in this process.
A vicar from Blackburn used her service on Sunday to protest at changes being made to the ordination of the Bishop of Burnley next month who will not have the "laying of hands" performed by Dr Sentamu because the Reverend Philip North opposes women bishops. A vicar from Blackburn used her service on Sunday to protest at changes being made to the ordination of the Bishop of Burnley next month. The "laying on of hands" on the Rev Philip North will be performed by other bishops but not by Dr Sentamu (who by then will have laid hands on Bishop Lane). Mr North opposes women bishops.
Dr Sentamu said the arrangements were made "for prayer, not politics". Dr Sentamu said the changes were made "for prayer, not politics". He pointed to the arrangements within the Church that "a suitable supply of bishops continues" for opponents of women's ordination.
Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle are among the dioceses where new bishops will also soon be appointed, while interviews for the vacancy as bishop for the Southwell and Nottingham diocese took place at the start of December.Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle are among the dioceses where new bishops will also soon be appointed, while interviews for the vacancy as bishop for the Southwell and Nottingham diocese took place at the start of December.
Anglican churches in Scotland and Wales already allow women as bishops, but have not appointed one yet.Anglican churches in Scotland and Wales already allow women as bishops, but have not appointed one yet.
Outside the Church of England, there are over 20 women bishops in the wider Anglican church, including the Reverend Pat Storey, who was appointed Bishop of Meath and Kildare in the Church of Ireland in September 2013.Outside the Church of England, there are over 20 women bishops in the wider Anglican church, including the Reverend Pat Storey, who was appointed Bishop of Meath and Kildare in the Church of Ireland in September 2013.