22/07/2015
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, consecrated two new female Church of England bishops today in a service at Canterbury Cathedral.
Bishop-designate Rachel Treweek, who was Archdeacon of Hackney and previously a speech and language therapist, was consecrated as the new Bishop of Gloucester.
Bishop Rachel is the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England and its most senior female bishop. She will also be the first female bishop to take a seat in the House of Lords.
The Revd Canon Dame Sarah Mullally, who before ordination had a distinguished service as a nurse in the NHS, becoming its youngest Chief Nursing Officer for England in 1999, was consecrated as the new suffragan Bishop of Crediton.
Bishop Rachel and Bishop Sarah are the third and fourth female bishops to be appointed in the Church of England respectively.
Archbishop Justin led the service, whose music was led by Canterbury Cathedral Girls' Choir.