A BLACKBURN vicar held a 10-minute silence in protest over the upcoming consecration of the Bishop of Burnley.

The Rev Ann Morris, of St Oswald’s Church, Knuzden, made her stand yesterday after changes were made to the Rev Philip North’s ceremony because, she believes, of his opposition to female bishops.

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The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said the arrangements were made for prayer, not politics.

Dr Sentamu has said he will not take part in the laying on of hands – a traditional part of the ordination service – during the Rev North’s ceremony at York Minster in February.

Laying on of hands is important to many as part of the belief, stemming from the Roman Catholic Church, that bishops continue to the same line of apostolic succession from Jesus’ disciples. However, some members of the church believe anyone involved in the practice for a female priest or bishop has been ‘tainted’.

The issue, which originated in the early 1990s with the ordination of female priests, has seen ‘flying bishops’ drafted in to overcome the issue.

The Rev Morris prayed at the alter for the 10 minutes while the congregation split into groups and the children took part in activities.

Church warden Alison Critchley said: “It’s shocking that these changes have been made in this day and age and the whole church was united in the protest. Women in the church feel like second-class citizens and the church should be united.

“If the Rev North wants that position in the church, he should do it like everyone else does.”

In a statement the Archbishop of York said: “Any suggestion that the arrangements proposed for the consecration of the Bishop of Burnley are influenced by a theology of ‘taint’ would be mistaken.”

The Rev North said: “Changed arrangements for the consecration of traditionalists were not triggered by a direct request from me and the archbishop will, in fact, be fully involved as president of the liturgy and will preach.

“While I also appreciate the archbishop’s arrangements for my consecration are difficult for some, it should not in any way undermine my absolute passion to serve as a bishop to all and to care for, love and support all churches in the Diocese of Blackburn regardless of their theological tradition.”

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, said: “The archbishop will rightly preside over the liturgy as a whole, whilst delegating the actual consecration and the celebration of the Eucharist.

“I am aware the arrangements that have been put in place are difficult for some, as the archbishop himself acknowledges, but we are all members of one body, seeking to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a needy world.”