A FORMER Bolton School pupil is to become the next Bishop of Lancaster in the Diocese of Blackburn.

Dr Jill Duff, aged 45, will be one of two junior ‘suffragan’ bishops in the county, working under the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson.

It is a major change in a diocese whose bishops did not even ordain woman priests until June, 2014.

Dr Duff will be consecrated at York Minster on June 29, succeeding the Rt Rev Geoff Pearson who retired last July, before taking up her duties.

The Rt Rev Henderson said: “Bishop Philip and I are delighted to welcome Jill as a new member of the episcopal team here in the diocese.

“She comes to us with a wealth of experience, a passion for prayer and for spreading the Gospel.

“I am delighted to a have female member of our senior leadership team.

“I am sure that as they get to know Jill and see her ministry those who struggle with the issue of ordaining women will find they struggle less.

“I want to make it clear that I see Jill’s appointment as another sign that the Anglican Church in Lancashire is modelling the principles of ‘mutual flourishing’ in the Church of England.”

Dr Duff is married to Rev Prof Jeremy Duff, Principal of the St Padarn’s Institute in the Church in Wales, and they have two sons, Robbie, aged 13 and Harry, aged 10.

She went to Bolton School before studying at Christ College, Cambridge and Worcester College, Oxford. Several years in the oil industry followed before training for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

Dr Duff is currently the founding Director of the St Mellitus College, North West.

, which offers the first full-time ordination course in the North West for more than 40 years. She said: “I am deeply blessed by the persistent encouragement of my husband Jeremy and sons.

“I will soon have a female episcopal colleague alongside another from the traditionalist Catholic constituency who will both serve the whole Diocese and will have my wholehearted support in carrying out their important work.”

The Rt Rev North, who last year withdrew from his promotion to Bishop of Sheffield, after protests over his refusal to ordain women priests, also welcomed his new colleague.

He said: “I am looking forward to having Jill in her new role. I am convinced that she will support and encourage Anglicans in Lancashire of all traditions.”

Dr Duff said: “I am thrilled and humbled to be appointed the eighth Bishop of Lancaster. This is a vibrant and exciting part of the Church of England.

“I’ve been attracted by the sheer variety of Blackburn Diocese – in the range of its parishes, settings, and church traditions.

“At the same time I realise there are certain aspects of my episcopal ministry that some won’t feel able in all good conscience to recognise.

“I understand and respect the position of my brothers and sisters in Christ who do not accept the ministry of ordained women in leadership, whether sacramental or teaching. I am conscious I am the first female Bishop in the Diocese but I not seeking to persuade people on this issue where they have deeply held views. I am very happy with that.

“I have worked closely with Bishop Philip in the past and working with him was one of the attractions of the post..

“There is so much more that unites than divides us, and I am committed to working together for mutual flourishing. May this bring hope to our church at this time.”

Dr Duff is married to Rev. Prof. Jeremy Duff, Principal of the St Padarn’s Institute in the Church in Wales, and they have two sons, Robbie, aged 13 and Harry, aged 10. She went to Bolton School before studying at Christ College, Cambridge and Worcester College, Oxford. Several years in the oil industry followed before training for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

Dr Duff is currently the founding Director of the St Mellitus College, North West, which offers the first full-time ordination course in the North West for more than 40 years. She said: “I am deeply blessed by the persistent encouragement of my husband Jeremy and sons.

“As a mother, one of my other great passions is work with young people, and there is so much to build on in this Diocese, not least with the Diocese’s fantastic network of church schools and the fact that young people are the heart of the work for the Diocese’s Vision 2026.

“Throughout my ministry I’ve found working with children and teenagers immensely energising.their responsiveness feeds the ways that the Church of England is called to ‘proclaim the Gospel afresh in each generation.

“I believe the Diocese is so well placed, with all its diversity in parishes and church traditions, to raise church planting aspirations for the Church of England here and beyond the boundaries of Blackburn Diocese.

“I am passionate about planting new congregations and creating confident witnesses for Christ who can be beacons in their communities, sharing the Gospel message meaningfully in their own voices.

“The ambition currently in Lancashire is to have 50 new congregations of all traditions by 2026 – maybe we will look back and find God in his generosity has surprised us.”

Dr Duff was introduced by the Rt Rev Henderson at Marsh Community Centre, Lancaster, yesterday morning before moving on to Blackburn Cathedral where the Dean of Blackburn, The Very Rev. Peter Howell-Jones, introduced her to members of the Cathedral Chapter over lunch. .

In the afternoon Dr Duff visited St James’ Church, Lower Darwen, home to the Diocese’s new leadership hub, part of an ambitious programme aimed at deprived urban estates in Lancashire, green-lit for funding by the national Church towards the end of last year.

It has been developed with St Mellitus College and Dr Duff has worked closely with the Rt Rev. North and St James’ vicar Rev. Tim Horobin on the project.

The Archbishop of York, The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. John Sentamu, said: “I am delighted that Jill will be joining the Episcopal Team in the Diocese of Blackburn.

“Her Ordination as Bishop in the Church of God, in York Minster in June, will be a celebration for us all. “

The Church of England in Lancashire is to get its first female bishop. BILL JACOBS reports

THE appointment of Dr Jill Duff yesterday, brings the 45-year-old to the Diocese of Blackburn as a bishop.

of Lancaster in the Diocese of Blackburn, 10 Downing Street announced today.

Following the announcement by 10 Downing Street, Dr Duff will become