Church’s first female bishop to take up new post

THE FIRST female bishop in the Church of England is to become the new Bishop of Derby, Downing Street has announced.

The Rt Rev Libby Lane has been Bishop of Stockport since 2015, after the General Synod of the Church of England voted to allow female bishops in 2014.

Bishop Lane, who was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1993, said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the next Bishop of Derby.

“I am excited about starting my ministry there and for getting to know all the people, places and parishes that will be a part of it.

“I have had a wonderful time in the Diocese of Chester and I will miss it greatly. I won’t be leaving right away and hope to have time to properly say farewell before I take up my new post.”

In the Derby post Bishop Lane will replace the Rt Rev Alastair Llewellyn John Redfern, who announced his resignation in August.