The first female Bishop of Lancaster who ‘surfed on prayers of so many’
HISTORY HAS been made in York with the consecration of the first female Bishop of Lancaster.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, presided over the ceremony at the Minster as the Reverend Dr Jill Duff, now Bishop Jill, was consecrated as the next Suffragan Bishop.
“I have been surfing on the prayers of so many people to get to this special day,” she said. “Today was a wonderful spirit-filled occasion and it was huge honour to be part of a consecration service which centred around calling down the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a bishop in the Church of God. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and everyone who has prayed me into this new role of Bishop of Lancaster.”
The Archbishop of York had said he was delighted that she would be joining the episcopal team: “We are all rejoicing at her nomination and praying for her to flourish in her calling as Bishop in the Church of God.”
People from parishes across Lancashire had travelled across the Pennines for the service, joined by more than 40 bishops and the Archbishop of Wales, The Most Rev John Davies.
Bolton-born Bishop Jill is formerly the founding director of the St Mellitus College, North West. She went to Bolton School before studying at Christ College, Cambridge and Worcester College, Oxford.
The Bishop-designate is married to Rev Prof Jeremy Duff, principal of the St Padarn’s Institute in the Church in Wales, and they have two sons.
There were personal touches in the Consecration service, including a reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel by Bishop Jill’s sons.
Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn, said: “It was a wonderful service that embodied everything being ordained for ministry in the Church of England is all about.
“We thank Jill for answering God’s call to be Bishop of Lancaster. She is an exciting person coming to an exciting team at an exciting time and we look forward to all that God has in store.”