Libby Lane formally appointed first woman bishop by Church Of England as protester shouts: 'No. Not in my name'
|
Version 0 of 1. The first woman bishop has been ordained by the Church Of England during a ceremony at York Minster that was interrupted by a protesting vicar. Libby Lane, 48, became the new Bishop of Stockport following legislation adopted last year to allow female bishops for the first time since the Church's foundation by King Henry VIII in 1534. During the ceremony, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, asked the congregation if it was their will that Bishop Lane be ordained. In response, a protester stepped forward and shouted "No. Not in my name." It is believed the protester was the Rev Paul Williamson, who previously objected to the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla. Bishop Lane, 48, had been vicar of St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley in Greater Manchester since April 2007. Her consecration – the process of being made holy – was a two-hour service attended by an estimated 1,000 people. Led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, other bishops laid their hands on the newly-appointed Bishop and prayed. Reverend Lane had previously said it would be a “profound and remarkable moment”. Reactions on Twitter were mostly positive as people celebrated the historic moment. Bishop Libby Lane. A great day for the Church of England. Yay Libby Lane! I'm not religious or a feminist but this is a huge step forward for the church. She's such an example of emotional strength. Barely a flinch when the protestor interjected. I would have been in tears by now #LibbyLane Well the sky hasn't fallen in. #LibbyLane The service was briefly delayed by an opponent of the changes, when 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 took place. |