THE Dean of Christ Church in Oxford has called on the newly-appointed Bishop of Sheffield to stand aside ahead of his consecration because of his views on women priests.

The Very Rev Prof Martyn Percy has urged Rt Rev Philip North to renounce his membership of The Society, an organisation thought to oppose female priests, or decline his nomination as Bishop of Sheffield, announced last month.

Rt Rev North is the suffragan Bishop of Burnley.

The Dean said: “The Bishop of Burnley is a fine person.

“But he should decline to be the next Bishop of Sheffield, and here is why.

“He cannot, in his conscience recognise, value and affirm the sacramental integrity of one third of his clergy.

“Such a position has no integrity. He will be the cause of division, and cannot bring unity.”

A CofE spokesperson said Rt Rev North had said at a meeting with women clergy in the diocese ‘that he is in favour of women’s leadership and would actively promote it’.

The spokesperson added: “Many if not all of Martyn Percy’s arguments were raised and presented during and before the General Synod debates in 2014.”

The spokeswoman said Bishop Philip has said told women clergy in his diocese that he was favour of women’s leadership and would promote it.

She said: “The Church of England supports all orders of ministry being open equally, irrespective of gender.”