CHURCH OF ENGLAND NAMES REV LIBBY LANE AS FIRST FEMALE BISHOP

The Church of England has named its first female bishop, just four weeks after elevating women to the role was approved. 

Rev Libby Lane, who has spent much of her career working in the North East has been announced the new Bishop of Stockport, an assistant in the Chester Diocese. 

The historic move comes a month after the General Synod in York approved legislation to elevate women to the position and 20 years after the first women were ordained as priests.

It marks a dramatic change in the Church of England and comes as it was revealed the Government is planning to introduce legislation tomorrow to Parliament to allow female bishops into the House of Lords.

Rev Lane, 48, said she was grateful for the opportunity but admitted she was 'somewhat daunted' by the position. 

She said: 'On this historic day as the Church of England announces the first woman nominated to be Bishop, I am very conscious of all those who have gone before me, women and men, who for decades have looked forward to this moment. But most of all I am thankful to God.' 

However some have criticised the appointment, including campaign group Reform which has said Mrs Lane, and other women, being able to be appointed Bishop is against Christian teachings. 

Rod Thomas, chairman of the group, said it was 'against the biblical model of good church leadership.'  

In 1994 the first women priests were ordained but since then none have been able to take on the more senior roles in the Church.

The path to allow women to become bishops has also been a long and complicated one, beset by years of wrangling and opposing votes - including most recently in 2012. 

Rev Lane, who has worked in the Diocese of Chester since 2007, will be consecrated as the 8th Bishop of Stockport at a ceremony at York Minister on Monday 26 January 2015. 

The post has been vacant since May when the Rt Rev Robert Atwell was made Bishop of Exeter.