"New Era in Episcopal Church"

For the first time, a woman will lead the American arm of the Anglican Communion

When Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori takes hold of the staff that symbolizes her rise in rank on Saturday, she will turn the tables on five centuries of Anglican history and quite possibly alter its course.

Three decades after the Episcopal Church resolved to ordain women, the landmark decision that instilled hope for many has made only a small difference in the life of the church. Women fill a majority of the church pews and seminaries but account for a fraction of its bishops.

The election of Jefferts Schori as the first woman to lead the American arm of the Anglican Communion "is a first step toward bringing gender balance to what until now has been an all-male preserve," outgoing Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold told a London congregation Sunday. "It is ironic that though women represent the majority of the Anglican Communion, their voices and their reconciling views are woefully underrepresented."

Read it all here.

Update: ++Bishop Jefferts Schori Installed

The Associated Press report is picked up by The New York Times, USA Today, MSNBC, and The Washington Post.

"Katharine Jefferts Schori took office Saturday as the first woman presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, a first not only for her denomination but also for the global Anglican Communion, which has never before had a female priest leading one of its provinces.

Worshippers stood and faced the doors of the national cathedral as Jefferts Schori knocked and entered, wearing a multicolored robe and miter. She walked in a procession toward the front of the church, led by people waving streamers and flags, as applause filled the sanctuary."