Protest as first Church of England female bishop is consecrated
A protester has interrupted the service to consecrate the Church of England’s first woman bishop.
The man stepped forward during the ordination at York Minster of Rev Libby Lane as the eighth Bishop of Stockport.
As the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu asked the congregation if it was their will that Rev Lane was ordained, the man shouted: “No. Not in my name.”
The brief protest happened around an hour into the consecration. The Archbishop of York asked the congregation: “Brothers and sisters, you have heard how great is the charge that Libby is ready to undertake, and you have heard her declarations. Is it now your will that she should be ordained?”
As the congregation of nearly 2,000 people replied “It is”, the lone man stepped forward to the altar.
Dr Sentamu followed legal procedures and read out a pre-prepared statement before repeating his original question.
The service continued and Rev Lane was officially ordained as Bishop about 20 minutes later.
