History was made today at York Minster when Libby Lane became the first woman bishop of the Church of England. Our roving reporter, and former parish assistant Revd Penny King was there and sends us this ‘postcard’ from the Minster:
It was a great joy and privilege to be at York Minster today for the momentous and historic occasion of the consecration of Bishop Libby Lane, the new Bishop of Stockport. Before the service the air was filled with excited anticipation by all who were gathering at the Minster from across the country, erupting in cheering and applause as Bishop Libby came to greet the clergy robing in St Michael le Belfry Church, before the service.
The Minster was full of people there to support, pray for and rejoice with Bishop Libby and the whole church as she begins the new ministry to which God has called her. As a relatively young priest (both in age and number of months ordained!) Bishop Libby’s consecration and the spirit of enthusiasm and collegiality and the almost tangible excitement of a feeling of newness and renewal in sharing in God’s eternal mission was an encouragement and an inspiration.
It was both a celebration and a day filled with great hope for the future of the whole church of God, a future where, by the grace of God, all people are able to fulfill their vocation with acceptance, encouragement and enthusiasm, supported by the prayers of their brothers and sisters and working together to build God’s kingdom.
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