Just four weeks after the governing body of the Church of England voted for the historic law change to approve the appointment of women Bishops, Stockport has become the first Diocese to appoint one.
Reverend Libby Lane becomes the Bishop of Stockport, an assistant bishop in the diocese of Chester.
The position has been vacant since earlier in the summer after the previous holder, the Rt Rev Robert Atwell, was made Bishop of Exeter.
It follows the news that new legislation to fast-track women bishops into the House of Lords will be introduced to Parliament on Thursday.
The 48-year-old, who was ordained a priest in 1994 and served as vicar of St Peter’s Hale, Greater Manchester, for the last eight years, will be consecrated at a ceremony at York Minster on January 26.
In her first speech after the announcement the new Bishop led a silence and prayer for the victims of the Pakistan school massacre.
She went on to say it was “unexpected” and a “remarkable joy” for her, and a “historic day” for the Church of England and paid tribute to all those who had fought the long and hard campaign for women bishops.
The New Bishop of Stockport will not be able to sit in the Upper Chamber as the post is referred to as suffragan, or junior see within the Diocese of Chester.
