Conservative Cleric Hampers First Female Bishop Consecration

A man protested against the ordination, explaining it by the fact that women bishops were “not in the Bible.”

MOSCOW, January 27 (Sputnik) — The consecration ceremony of the Church of England's first woman bishop, Libby Lane, was interrupted by a protester who stepped forward from a row of priests standing near the altar, the Telegraph reported.

The man protested after the Archbishop of York asked the congregation: "Brothers and sisters, you have heard how great is the charge that Libby is ready to undertake, and you have heard her declarations. Is it now your will that she should be ordained?"

The cleric shouted “No. Not in my name," explaining his disagreement by the fact that women bishops were “not in the Bible”, the newspaper reported.

The ceremony took place at York Minster on Monday and has been considered a crucial moment in terms promotion of women’s rights and gender-equality in the religious sphere.

However, the appointment of a female bishop has also caused controversial reactions among representatives of England’s society and the Church. People are divided into Anglicans who have a moderate stance towards the initiative and traditionalists who strictly oppose such a step.

Despite the protest, the consecration was continued and Mrs. Lane was officially ordained as Bishop.

UK Prime Minster David Cameron called Mrs. Lane’s nomination a "historic appointment and important day for equality," as reported by IB Times.