Opponent of women's ordination appointed as bishop of Sheffield Church of England promotes traditionalist Philip North from post of bishop on Burnley Sheffield Cathedral. Photograph: Alamy Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent Tuesday 31 January 2017 09.21 EST The Church of England has appointed as the new bishop of Sheffield a clergyman who opposes the ordination of women. Philip North, from the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic wing of the C of E, is being promoted from his position as bishop of Burnley, where he has championed people who are economically and socially marginalised. His opposition to women priests prompted criticism of the appointment. Emma Percy, the chairperson of Watch (Women and the Church), acknowledged North’s strengths in urban ministry and with youth, but added: “We are aware of the sadness felt by many in Sheffield that they will now have a diocesan bishop who will not ordain women. Sheffield is a diocese with a large number of women clergy and we sincerely hope that the new bishop will promote a culture in which ordained women will feel validated and encouraged to flourish.” In 2012, North accepted the post of bishop of Whitby but two months later stepped aside after protests over his opposition to women in the ministry. He has been a member of the Company of Mission Priests for the past 20 years. Click here for the rest of the article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-ordination-appointed-as-bishop-of-sheffield
Praise be to God that at least someone with some sense was elevated to this position and can provide right guidance. Now we just need more leaders like him to right the ship.