The Church of England have announced that the Revd Libby Lane will become their first ever female Bishop, taking up the post of the Bishop of Stockport.
The Church of England’s General Synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July and adopted the change formally on 17 November. Mrs Lane will be consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport on 26th January at a ceremony at York Minister.
Mrs Lane is currently the vicar at St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s in Ashley, Cheshire, a position she has held since 2007. Before moving to Hale she was Team Vicar in the Stockport South West Team.
Commenting on the news, local MP for Cheadle constituency Mark Hunter said:
‘I would like to warmly welcome the Reverend Libby Lane back to Stockport, and to wish her all the very best as she takes up her position as Bishop. It is an honour for Stockport to have the Church of England’s first female Bishop and I hope that she leads the local Christian community for many years to come.’
Andrew Stunell, MP for Hazel Grove, added:
‘I am sure many local residents will be as delighted as I am that the Church of England has decided Stockport is to have the first female Bishop. Behind the headlines I hope that the Rev Libby Lane is very happy here; I look forward to her arrival in January!’