Libby Lane becomes first female bishop in England

Libby Lane, a reverend with the Church of England has been appointed as the first female bishop for the Church of England.

Her appointment came a few weeks after the historic amendment of the canon law.

The general synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July and formally adopted legislation on November 17.

Lane has been the vicar at St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley, in the diocese of Chester, since 2007.

She would become the new bishop of Stockport, a post that has been vacant before the amendment in November.

According to BBC, the appointment would end centuries of male leadership of the church and comes exactly 20 years after women became priests.

Lane, whose appointment was approved by the Queen of England, was ordained a deacon in 1993 and a priest in 1994.

She also served her curacy in Blackburn, Lancashire, holding the role of dean of women in ministry for the diocese of Chester since 2010.

Lane expressed surprise and excitement at her appointment.

“This is unexpected and very exciting, it was a remarkable day for me and an historic day for the Church,” she said.

“I’m honoured and thankful to be called to serve as the next bishop of Stockport and not a little daunted to be entrusted with such a ministry.

“This is an historic appointment and an important step forward for the church towards greater equality in its senior positions.”

Lane will be consecrated as the eighth bishop of the town at a ceremony at York Minster on January 26, 2015.

The first women priests were ordained in 1994, but to date women have not been able to take on the church’s most senior roles.