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LONDON (AP) — The male monopoly in the leadership of the Church of England has ended with Monday's consecration of the 500-year-old institution's first female bishop.
The Rev. Libby Lane became the eighth Bishop of Stockport in a service at York Minster. Her consecration comes after the church ended a long and divisive dispute by voting last year to allow women to serve as bishops.
The consecration service was interrupted by a lone protester, the Rev. Paul Williamson. He stepped forward and objected when the congregation was asked if it was their will that Lane be ordained. Williamson said "No!" and asked to speak, arguing there was no precedent in the Bible for women bishops.
The archbishop of York, John Sentamu, answered with a prepared statement and then asked again if the church approved. This time, the response was a thunderous "Yes!"
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165-a-13-(John Sentamu (SEN'-tah-moo), archbishop of York, Church of England, with unidentified man who opposes the idea of female bishops, addressing congregation at York Minster in northern England during consecration of the Church of England's first female bishop via pool)-"absolute impediment please"-As Archbishop of York John Sentamu asked the congregation's consent for Libby Lane to be consecrated as the church's first female bishop, an unidentified man called out his objection. (His objection was noted and the ceremony moved forward.) (26 Jan 2015)
<<CUT *165 (01/26/15)££ 00:13 "absolute impediment please"
166-a-21-(John Sentamu (SEN'-tah-moo), archbishop of York, Church of England, addressing congregation at York Minster in northern England via pool)-"be consecrated bishop"-The Church Of England's archbishop of York, John Sentamu, having recounted the legal, political and royal approval process that led to Libby Lane's consecration, moves to the final step. ((note length)) (26 Jan 2015)
<<CUT *166 (01/26/15)££ 00:21 "be consecrated bishop"
167-a-11-(John Sentamu (SEN'-tah-moo), archbishop of York, Church of England, addressing congregation at York Minster in northern England)-"be consecrated? YES! (congregation responds)"-Archbishop of York John Sentamu asked a final time for approval of the consecration of Libby Lane as a bishop in the Church of England. (26 Jan 2015)
<<CUT *167 (01/26/15)££ 00:11 "be consecrated? YES! (congregation responds)"
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