FIRST FEMALE ANGLICAN BISHOP APPOINTED

DUBLIN — The first Anglican woman bishop in the British Isles has been consecrated. The Rev Pat Storey, 53, a married mother of two, was appointed by the Church of Ireland to be Bishop of Meath and Kildare, in the Republic.

She was consecrated in a ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The Church, whose territory also includes Northern Ireland, decided to appoint women as priests and bishops in 1990 but until now had not appointed one.

Mrs Storey’s consecration comes just 10 days after the Church of England’s General Synod voted in favour of women bishops, ending a 13-year battle over the issue. The Bishop said she was “blind sided” by her appointment.

Mrs Storey, who is married to Rev Earl Storey, said becoming the first female bishop “was an issue for some, but for me it isn’t a big deal.”

The bishop grew up in Belfast and studied French and English at Trinity College in Dublin. Bishop Storey and her husband have two adult children Luke, 22, and Carolyn, 25, and son-in-law Peter.

She only entered the clergy in her mid thirties after working as a receptionist in a doctor's surgery and for Weight Watchers.

• She has taken over from Dr Richard Clarke, who was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland last December. The Rev Nigel Parker paid tribute to her during the service.
• He said: “Pat, it has been our privilege over the years to see you respond to our Father's love with love, trust and obedience.
• “You have given yourself whole-heartedly to Him and His Church, serving His people as a deacon and priest - teaching the Scriptures and pastoring with that disarming directness, which is your hallmark - a directness, which speaks the truth in love, with a ready laugh and delightful sense of humour.
• “You have demonstrated your love for the Father in your hard work, impeccable organisation and evangelistic heart, which longs to see people come into the family of God, through the completed work of Jesus Christ. You have shown your care and thoughtfulness to many, not least your family, Earl, Carolyn and Luke, and to us, your friends.
• “So today, it is our privilege to pray for you, as the Lord Jesus calls you to a deeper life of sacrificial service, calls you to consecrate yourself to Him, His Church and His cause.”

Source: The Telegraph.