THE acting Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher has welcomed the announcement of the first woman bishop in the Church of England.

Bishop Colin said the appointment of the Rev Libby Lane as new Bishop of Stockport would be welcomed by members of Oxford’s diocese.

He said: “The announcement that Libby Lane has been appointed as the next Bishop of Stockport will, I know, bring much joy to many people both in this diocese and throughout the Church of England.

“As one of the eight women who has been regularly attending the House of Bishops’ meetings over recent months I have come to value her contributions very much indeed.

“I look forward to working with her in the coming years.”

Downing Street announced the landmark decision yesterday and said the Rev Lane will be consecrated at a ceremony in York on January 26.

She is already one of eight women observers of the Church of England’s House of Bishops.

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