Libby Lane from the Chester Diocese has been consecrated as the Church of England’s first woman bishop in an historic service at York Minster today (Monday, January 26, 2015).

A separate ceremony of installation will take place on Sunday, March 8 at Chester Cathedral.

She was ordained as Bishop of Stockport and anointed with oil by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu.

Protester Rev Paul Williamson interrupted the service when the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, asked the congregation for their affirmation. 

A man, later confirmed by the Church of England as 'serial protester' Rev Paul Williamson, of Hanworth, Middlesex shouted: “No. Not in the Bible. With respect, Your Grace, I ask to speak on this absolute impediment, please.”

The spokesman confirmed that Rev Williamson had been expected and added: “He’s got the right to protest, but the contrast was between a lone voice protesting and a sea of voices affirming.”

Dr Sentamu continued the two-hour ceremony without interruption.

Libby was first presented by the Bishops of Chester and Exeter (Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster and Rt Rev Robert Atwell)  and surrounded by fellow bishops at the foot of the nave platform. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, attended, and other senior Christian pastors and faith leaders.

Bishop Libby received a bible from Archbishop Sentamu before being welcomed by Bishop Peter. At the end of the service she was given a pastoral staff and went in procession outside the minster where she was photographed and filmed by various media.

The consecration was filmed by the major British broadcasters and shown on TV news programmes around the globe.

Libby, who had been vicar of St Peter’s, Hale, and St Elizabeth’s, Ashley, near Altrincham, since 2007, is now the eighth Bishop of Stockport.

Aged 48, Libby is married to the Revd George Lane, 46, who is the co-ordinating chaplain at Manchester Airport. They have two adult children.

Bishop Libby said: “Today is an occasion of prayer and of party – and I am thrilled that so many want to share in both. I cannot properly express how encouraged I have been in the weeks since the announcement of my nomination, by the thousands of messages I have received with words of congratulation, support and wisdom. I’ve heard from people of all ages, women and men – people I have known for years, and people I have never met; people from down the road, and people from across the world.”

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, Bishop of Chester, said: “The announcement of Libby Lane’s designation as Bishop of Stockport was greeted with much appreciation. As she now takes up her episcopal ministry, I am conscious of the pressures and expectations on her, and I am completely confident that she will meet these and be an outstanding bishop.”

Libby’s ministry in Chester Diocese has included her being, at various times: Dean of Women in Ministry; team vicar in the Stockport south west team; family life officer for the committee for social responsibility; and assistant diocesan director of ordinands.

After school in Manchester and University at Oxford, Libby trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall in Durham. She was ordained a deacon in 1993 and a priest in 1994, serving her curacy in Blackburn, Lancashire. Libby has also served in the Diocese of York, as chaplain in hospital and further education.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said: “Today, in York Minster, history has been made. Libby Lane, who was already a priest in the Church, is the first woman in the Church of England to be made a bishop. It is a momentous occasion: a solemn act of worship and a jubilant celebration. I was thrilled to be presiding at the service. Jesus Christ calls ordinary people like you and me to serve him joyfully and confidently. We are simply called to serve.”