First Female Bishop Named: Rev. Elizabeth Lane is Bishop of Stockport, England

England has made history with the first female bishop named! Introducing Rev. Elizabeth Lane (Libby Lane), 48 years old. She will become Bishop of Stockport in northwest England, Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said in a statement today.

The Prime Minister said:

“I would like to congratulate Elizabeth Lane on her appointment as Suffragan See of Stockport and in doing so becoming the first woman bishop in the Church. This is an historic appointment and an important step forward for the Church towards greater equality in its senior positions.” Then he added, “And the government is playing its part too by bringing forward legislation this week that will allow women bishops to sit in the House of Lords.”

Queen Elizabeth II has approved the nomination of Reverend Elizabeth Jane.

Lane will be consecrated as Bishop in a ceremony at York Minster on January 26, 2015.

Who is Elizabeth (Libby) Lane
The Reverend Elizabeth (Libby) Lane (aged 48), was educated at St Peter’s College, Oxford and trained for the ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham. She served her curacy at Saint James Blackburn from 1993 to 1996 in the Diocese of Blackburn. From 1996 to 1999 she had Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of York. From 2000 until present she has served in the Diocese of Chester: from 2000 to 2002 she was Family Life Education Officer, from 2002 to 2007 she was Team Vicar at Stockport South West and from 2005 to 2007 was also Assistant Director of Ordinands. Since 2007 she has been Vicar at Hale and Ashley, and from 2010 been Dean of Women in Ministry. She has been a Bishop’s Selection Advisor since 2003. In 2013 she was elected as Participant Observer in the House of Bishops for the North West Region.

Reverend Elizabeth Lane is married to Reverend George Lane, Coordinating Chaplain at Manchester Airport, and they have two grown up children. Her interests include being a school governor, encouraging social action initiatives, learning to play the saxophone, supporting Manchester United, reading and doing cryptic crosswords.