Lutherans give Britain its first woman bishop

By staff writers
January 21, 2009

History was be made on Saturday 17 January 2009, as the first woman bishop to serve in a British church took office.






Because his convictions were deeply felt, in 1517 he published 95 theses for discussion and debate within the church. His aim was to reform the church so that Christ's gospel was restored to the central position in the church's life and teaching.

Luther did not want to leave the church, but the church's leadership regarded his views as disturbing and dangerous. In 1520 he was excommunicated, but he continued to proclaim his views in his preaching, teaching and writing.

He was supported by a growing number of people, including many clergy and secular rulers. In a short time large areas of Germany became 'Lutheran', and Lutheranism took root in other European countries and in Scandinavia.

Luther is seen as a key figure in the development of Enlightenment in Europe. But he also believed in a state church, and rigorously opposed Anabaptists and other dissenters on the 'left wing' of the Reformation.

The Lutheran Church was the first church to grow out of the Reformation movement. The Reformation was kindled by Luther's 95 theses and rapidly spread throughout western Europe, influencing also the church in Britain at the time of Henry VIII.

The Lutheran Church continues to be one of the largest churches in the world, developing first in Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltic, and now comprising some 60-70 million members in all regions of the world.

Lutherans have worshipped in England since the 16th century, and the first official congregation was established in London in 1669, used by Germans and Scandinavians. By the end of the 17th century, two further congregations (one German and one Scandinavian) had been established.

Now there are Lutheran congregations in all parts of Britain and Lutheran worship is conducted in a wide range of languages, reflecting its international character - German, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Icelandic, Polish, Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Cantonese, Amharic, Swahili, Hungarian and English.
