BREAKING: Reverend Philip North turns down Bishop of Sheffield post
Sheffield's new bishop has turned down his job - admitting his presence in the city would '˜not be acceptable' because of his opposition to women becoming priests.
The Rt Rev Philip North - who had been expected to be elected as Bishop of Sheffield next month - last night bowed to pressure which has intensified in recent days.
He said he had taken the decision with ‘regret and sadness’ - adding that the ‘highly individualised nature’ of the controversy surrounding him had been ‘extremely hard to bear’.
Another candidate will now have to be found for the role.