One of the Church of England’s most senior women clerics has quit her job after becoming pregnant while unmarried.<\/p>\n
The Rev Dr Emma Loveridge stepped down as principal adviser to the Archbishop of York after only 13 months in the post.<\/p>\n
The 42-year-old cited “personal and family reasons” for leaving the staff of Dr John Sentamu, who ranks second in the Church’s hierarchy.<\/p>\n
He is regarded as conservative in matters of sexual morality<\/p>\n
She is also understood to have resigned her licence to practise as a priest and to have effectively stepped down from the clergy.<\/p>\n
The baby is believed to be Dr Loveridge’s first and her growing bump was obvious as she strolled near her home this week.<\/p>\n
Her pregnancy comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken out strongly in favour of marriage and married families in recent months.<\/p>\n
Along with Dr Sentamu, he has been trying to deal with the worldwide Anglican split over sexual morality.<\/p>\n