A Derry cleric has made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed bishop by the Anglican Church in the British Isles.
Rev Pat Storey, a rector at St Augustine’s Church in the city, was elected by the Church of Ireland as Bishop of Meath and Kildare in the Republic.
A married mother of two, who grew up in Belfast, said she was “excited and daunted” by the historic appointment.
“I have had an extraordinarily happy experience in St Augustine’s and in this wonderful city, which I will be sad to leave,” she said.
“However, I count it an enormous privilege to begin a new phase of my ministry with the people of Meath and Kildare, and I look forward to working with the team of clergy who are already there.
“I would sincerely ask for your prayers for myself and my family, who are the best family in the world.”
Rev Ken Goode, Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, who was among the panel of bishops who elected Rev Storey, said he was “absolutely delighted” by the appointment.
Rev Storey, who is 53, has been rector of St Augustine’s in Derry since 2004 and is married to Rev Earl Storey.
After studying French and English at Trinity College in Dublin, she trained at the Church of Ireland Theological College and was ordained deacon in 1997 and priest in 1998.
She worked as a youth worker with the Church of Ireland youth department.
The Anglican churches in Wales and Scotland have the power to appoint woman bishops but have not yet done so. The church in England is expected to follow suit in permitting the appointment of women bishops soon.
Tags: