We covered the story last week. Now Catholic News Agency has more:
The congregation can choose whether to receive communion bread blessed by Rev. [Sue] Penfold or bread blessed by a male priest at the main cathedral service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
“This situation is not ideal, but we are trying to be inclusive,” Canon Hindley said, adding that Rev. Penfold had been appointed to Blackburn Cathedral to reflect the “board views” of the Church of England.
The communion practice was announced to worshipers when it was introduced last year but it is reportedly implemented in a “very discreet manner.”
The practice was attacked by Sally Barnes of the Anglican feminist group Women and the Church. She said it was “unacceptable and disgraceful” to turn communion into “a buffet.” She claimed the practice labeled women as “tainted” and that many people in the area have complained about it.
The traditional-leaning Anglican group Forward in Faith, which opposes women bishops, said the practice was unusual. According to This Is Lancashire, group spokesman Stephen Parkinson called it “bonkers” and said he did not understand why the women priests put up with it.
You can not make this stuff up.
For more, see our story from last week.