Religion of Peace
The BBC provided extensive coverage on the consecration of the first female bishop in the Church of England, Libby Lane.
While I'm not religious myself I think this is still a very welcome development which puts other completely male dominated religions to shame.
In the Roman Catholic Church women are not allowed to become priests or bishops, of course nor any of the many positions which go all the way up to the Pope.
And as far as I know the Jewish faith forbids women to become Rabbis, likewise with Islam and its tradition of all male Imams.
So I take my hat off to the Church of England for having the common sense to move away from the ridiculous position that a 'holy' book like the Bible represents the literal word of God.
Because that's the key development which has allowed the Church of England to adapt its beliefs and practices to the modern world, instead of being shackled to an outmoded view of the world which regards women as second class citizens.
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 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.
A man interrupts the ordination of Libby Lane as bishop, calling it an "absolute impediment"
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 John Sentamu asked the congregation, there was no opposition and the consecration, or the process of being made holy, took place.
A Church of England spokesman described Mr Williamson, priest in charge of a church in Hanworth, Middlesex, as a "serial protester".
He said: "He's got the right to protest but the contrast was between a lone voice protesting and a sea of voices affirming."
The two-hour 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.
'Very emotional'
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."
Hundreds of people attended the service in York Minster
Mrs Lane has been vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007.
Analysis
By 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.
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.
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 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.
By 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Mrs Lane said more than 100 bishops were travelling to York for the service.
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.
Who is the Reverend Libby Lane?
Vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007
Ordained as deacon in 1993 and as priest in 1994, serving her curacy at St James's Church, Blackburn
Since January 2010, she has been Dean of Women in Ministry for the Diocese of Chester
Vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007
Ordained as deacon in 1993 and as priest in 1994, serving her curacy at St James's Church, Blackburn
Since January 2010, she has been Dean of Women in Ministry for the Diocese of Chester
Her husband, George, is also a priest
They were one of the first married couples in the Church of England to be ordained together
She is a Manchester United supporter and is learning to play the saxophone, according to her church's website
Who is the Church of England's first female bishop?
She is a Manchester United supporter and is learning to play the saxophone, according to her church's website
Who is the Church of England's first female bishop?
After the change was approved, 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.
Opponents of women bishops include some who place great importance on the laying on of hands by existing bishops in the consecration of new bishops, and wish to be looked after by bishops not affected by the involvement of women in this process.
Church of England women priestsContinue reading the main story
Getty
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 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.
Anglican churches in Scotland and Wales already allow women as bishops, but have not appointed any 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.
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 who place great importance on the laying on of hands by existing bishops in the consecration of new bishops, and wish to be looked after by bishops not affected by the involvement of women in this process.
Church of England women priestsContinue reading the main story
Church of England women priests
7,798
full-time C of E priests
1,781
are women
- 101 male C of E bishops
- 30 Anglican women bishops worldwide
- 21 years since first C of E women priests ordained
Getty
Source: Church of England
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 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.
Anglican churches in Scotland and Wales already allow women as bishops, but have not appointed any 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.
