Bishop of Sheffield consecration looms following church rift

The Very Rev Dr Pete Wilcox is the replacement for the Rt Rev Philip North, who stepped down within weeks of his appointment because his traditionalist views on female clergy were at odds with those held by the Diocese of Sheffield.

In an announcement made in the week of International Women’s Day, Bishop North, who opposes female priests on theological grounds, said he was stepping aside in the face of what he called personal attacks that were “too much to bear”.

His move prompted a rare joint statement from the Church’s two most senior figures, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, who used a provision in the three-year-old declaration which paved the way for the ordination of women bishops, to trigger an independent inquiry into whether the process was still working.

On Monday evening, Bishop North’s successor, who was previously Dean of Liverpool, attended a special service led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, which conferred on him the legal title of Bishop of Sheffield and gave him “spiritual jurisdiction” over the diocese.

His consecration as bishop will take place at York Minster on June 22, following which his appointment will be confirmed by the Queen, at a brief private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Bishop Wilcox said: “I am grateful for all those who have assured me of their prayers over the coming weeks and months as I make this transition to Sheffield.”

Dr Sentamu said: “Pete is a gifted bible teacher, a pastor and an enthusiastic evangelist who will enable the peoples and parishes in the Diocese of Sheffield to take further their aims of making Christ visible.”

Following Bishop North’s resignation, traditionalists headed by the Right Rev Tony Robinson, Bishop of Wakefield, said they would continue to support senior clergy who opposed the consecration of their female counterparts on theological grounds.

The campaign group Women and the Church, which had been among those to oppose Bishop North’s nomination, said “the church needs to be part of the good news for women”.