A WARRINGTON priest has been invited to take up one of the most prestigious positions in the Church of England.

The Reverend Lesley Bentley, of St Philip's Church, Westbrook, has been chosen to become an Honorary Canon of Liverpool Cathedral - only the second woman to hold such a position in the Diocese of Liverpool.

She accepted the role at a special Eucharist in the Lady Chapel of Liverpool Cathedral to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood.

The preacher was the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, who praised Rev Bentley: "Lesley Bentley is a priest of great ability whose leadership and judgement I have come to value enormously since becoming Bishop of Liverpool."

Rev Bentley, already Dean of Women's Ministry and Director of Diaconal Ministries for the Diocese of Liverpool, was thrilled with her new appointment. She said: "I am delighted at the honour accorded to me by the Bishop and the Cathedral.

"It is yet another example of how the ministry of female priests is increasingly valued in this Diocese and the Church of England as a whole."

She will continue in her regular ministry at St Philip's but will also join other Honorary Canons in processions at major services at the Cathedral. She will also be entitled to wear a distinctive bronze scarf denoting her new position.

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