Church of England consecrates first female bishop
The Church of England consecrated its first woman bishop on Monday, the culmination of years of efforts by Church modernizers to overcome opposition from traditionalists. More than two decades after the Church allowed women to become priests, Reverend Libby Lane became Bishop of Stockport in a ceremony at York Minster, a Gothic cathedral in northern England.
Members of the clergy run into York Minster to attend a ceremony for the consecration of The Reverend Libby Lane at York Minster in York, England.Oli Scarff/AFP / Getty Images
Clergy await the consecration of the Reverend Libby Lane at York Minster, in York, England.Lynne Cameron/AFP / Getty Images
Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and the Reverend Libby Lane take part in a service in which she is consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster.Getty Images
Women vicars take photographs of the Reverend Libby Lane (not pictured) as she stands outside York Minster after her consecration as the eighth Bishop of Stockport in York, England.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Members of the clergy arrive at York Minster, in York, northern England, to attend the consecration of the Reverend Libby Lane.Oli Scarff/AFP / Getty Images
The Reverend Libby Lane (2nd L) smiles 2outside York Minster after being consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport on in York, England.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The Reverend Libby Lane smiles as she stands near the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, (front row, 3rd R) and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (front row, C) outside York Minster.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Archbishop of York John Sentamu applauds following the service where Reverend Libby Lane was consecrated as the first female Bishop in the Church of England at York.Reuters
The Reverend Libby Lane hugs a member of the clergy during a service where she was consecrated as the first female bishop in the Church of England.Reuters
Bishop Libby Lane is applauded as she leaves York Minster in northern England.Oli Scarff/AFP / Getty Images