STOCKPORT: The Church of England on Wednesday named a saxophone-playing vicar with a taste for football as its first female bishop in a move hailed as an important step towards greater equality.

Libby Lane was named as the next bishop of Stockport after England’s state church last month gave final approval to the dramatic change to its hierarchy following years of wrangling and division.

“It is an unexpected joy for me to be here today”, Lane said after being named in Stockport, a town outside Manchester in northwest England.

It’s a remarkable day for me and I realise a historic day for the church. I’m honoured and thankful to be called to serve as the next bishop of Stockport and excited, though not a little daunted, to be trusted with such a ministry.

“I’m very conscious of those recognised and unrecognised who have prayed and worked and struggled for this moment. “The church last month ended a tortuous process allowing for female bishops that set liberal and conservative believers at odds.

Published in Dawn December 18th , 2014