Church of England creates second female bishop

The Rev Canon Alison White will become bishop of Hull in appointment heralded as ‘fantastic’ by the archbishop of York, John Sentamu

The Guardian, Caroline Davies, Wednesday 25 March 2015

Alison White has been announced as second female bishop. Photograph:
The Diocese of York/PA

The Church of England has appointed a second female bishop, naming the Rev Canon Alison White as the new bishop of Hull.

The announcement on Wednesday follows the consecration of the Rev Libby Lane, 48, as the eighth bishop of Stockport in January. The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, declared: “This is a joyous day.”

White, 58, is married to the Right Rev Frank White, 65, who is assistant bishop of Newcastle – making the couple the UK’s first husband-and-wife team of bishops.

Sentamu said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next bishop of Hull. Whilst she will be working with others across the diocese of York, encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding.

“Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom – it is fantastic that she has accepted God’s call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this diocese of York.”

White is priest-in-charge of Riding Mill in the diocese of Newcastle. Following a degree in English at Durham, she studied theology at Cranmer Hall, Durham, before studying for an MA in theology at Leeds University.

She said: “In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York diocesan clergy conference, where I got a profound sense of a diocese with faith and hope. I know that there is a real vision to be generous churches, making and nurturing disciples, and can’t wait to be part of loving God and growing the church in this great part of Yorkshire.”

She succeeds the Right Rev Richard Frith, who became bishop of Hereford in November, and she will be consecrated on 3 July at York Minster.

The Right Rev Martin Wharton, recently retired bishop of Newcastle, said: “I am thrilled that Alison’s priestly and personal gifts have been recognised by the wider church and believe she will be an outstanding bishop who will quickly endear herself to the people of Hull and the East Riding. As the second woman to be appointed bishop in the Church of England, we rejoice with her and pray for her.”

The church formally adopted legislation last November to allow female bishops following decades of argument over women’s ordination.

From 1989 to 1993, White served as Durham’s diocesan adviser in local mission. She then spent five years as director of mission and pastoral studies at Cranmer Hall. She served as diocesan director of ordinands, also in Durham diocese, for two years and then nationally as part of the springboard team for four years.

She served five years as an adult education officer for the diocese of Peterborough before moving to the diocese of Newcastle in 2011.

The first female Church of England bishop, Libby Lane, is consecrated by 

the archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA

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