Britain's first woman bishop takes office this weekend

Now that is news but of the Lutheran variety, and yet I say "Rejoice!"

History will be made this weekend as the first female bishop to serve in a British church takes office.

However the Church of England continues to argue about how and when women should be introduced to the episcopate, while the Roman Catholic Church maintains that only men can serve as priests.

So it has been left to the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, which has just a few thousand worshippers, to become the first to take the radical step.

The Rev Jana Jeruma-Grinberga, whose parents were Latvian refugees but who was born in England, will be consecrated as the church's first female bishop on Saturday at a ceremony in the City of London.

She will take over from the Rt Rev Walter Jagucki as the head of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, one of 10 Lutheran groups based in the country, and the service will be witnessed by fellow worshippers from around the world.

Do read the rest of Martin Beckford's article in the Telegraph.

Someone had to get the ball rolling and thanks be to God the Lutherans are not shy about getting down to business and dealing with equality in the Church. What part of "co-heirs in Christ" doesn't the Church of England understand. The Queen can be the official Head of the Church but women can't be bishops? Reality check required.