WUNRN
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-30974547
Website Link Includes Video & Additional Background Info.
UK – Church of England Consecrates First Woman Bishop
The Church of England Has Consecrated Its First Female Bishop During a
Ceremony at York Minster.
The Right
Reverend Libby Lane, 48, was made Bishop of Stockport in front of more than
1,000 people.
The Church
formally adopted legislation last November to allow women bishops, following
decades of argument over women's ordination.
Archbishop
of York John Sentamu, who led the service, said he had been "praying and
working for this day".
During the
two-hour service Dr Sentamu and other bishops laid their hands on Bishop Lane
and prayed. This was followed by lengthy applause.
Writing in today's Yorkshire Post the
archbishop said: "It is high time we had women bishops. I have been
praying and working for this day.
"In a
few years' time when more and more women will be bishops, I predict we shall be
wondering how we ever managed without them."
However, in
an indication that some Anglicans still oppose women's ordination, the service
was briefly delayed by an opponent of the changes.
The Rev
Paul Williamson stepped forward shouting "not in the Bible" after the
Archbishop of York asked the church if Mrs Lane should be ordained as a bishop.
The second
time Dr Sentamu asked the congregation, there was no opposition and the
ceremony continued.
A Church of
England spokesman said of Mr Williamson, priest in charge of a church in
Hanworth, Middlesex: "He's got the right to protest but the contrast was
between a lone voice protesting and a sea of voices affirming."
Bishop 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."
Speaking
after the service her son Benedict said: "We've been building up to it now
for a long time and it's satisfying that it has finally happened and we are
finally here. "She's the best person for the job."
Libby Lane
has been vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater
Manchester, since April 2007.