A service to consecrate the new Bishop of Burnley that was changed to take into account his opposition to female bishops has taken place.
The Rt Rev Philip North’s consecration was led by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu at York Minster.
However, in a break from tradition, some parts of the service were overseen by the Bishop of Chichester.
Dr Sentamu said he had not led those parts of the service to “demonstrate respect” for the new bishop’s views.
“We are saying yes, there is a division here and there are different opinions on this, but we’re also saying we can work around those opinions and still be one family.”
Sure. Working around divisions will be allowed, until it isn’t!
Good on +Philip for standing by his convictions and taking this stand, but he has only bought time for the CofE hierarchy to keep working at eliminating all vestiges of grass roots support for his position within the CofE.
His position is likely to become an oddity – a single bishop kept on to service a few parishes and shrines, in the same way that the English will always find room to retain a tradition long after most people have forgotten why it exists. A Gundy handing out palfreys, for those who saw “Ripping Yarns – Tomkinson’s Schooldays”.