A CLERGYMAN who voted against the introduction of women bishops has turned down his appointment as the next Bishop of Whitby over the issue.

Anglo-Catholic Father Philip North was appointed to the senoor role less than two months ago, but yesterday (Sunday, December 16) announced he will not be taking up the senior role as he felt he would “not be a focus for unity”.

Fr North, currently team rector at Old Saint Pancras Church, in London, was among a group of General Synod clergy who recently voted against the introduction of women bishops.

The legislation failed - by just six votes - to achieve the necessary majority from the General Synod.

But following the vote, local protests were submitted to the Archbishop of York over his appointment as Bishop of Whitby.

It is understood a letter was sent from St Oswald’s Church in Lythe, at the end of November, containing a number of signatories expressing disappointment that, for the third time, they had been assigned a bishop who did not accept the ordination of women priests.

There are a number of parishes within the Cleveland archdeaconry which petitioned against the ordination of women bishops.

Today (Monday, December 17), the Archbishop of York’s office declined to comment on the correspondence, but said it was a normal part of the appointments process for people to submit their views.

But yesterday Archbishop John Sentamu (Sunday, December 17) wrote to all clergy and readers in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, saying: "It is with sadness that I have heard from Rev Philip North of his decision to withdraw his acceptance of the post of Bishop of Whitby.

"This has come as a great disappointment to me personally and I am sure to many in the wider church, the diocese and the Archdeaconry of Cleveland.

"Philip North is not a single-issue priest. As a gifted pastor-teacher he is deeply committed to the flourishing of the diverse ministries of all God’s people - lay and ordained. His dynamic vision for making Christ visible in mission and ministry, as well as serving the poor, would have been a great asset to us all.”

Fr North was due to be consecrated as Bishop of Whitby in March.

The appointment of a new bishop will now be referred to the Dioceses Commission.