A REGIONAL bishop in the diocese of Melbourne, the Rt Revd Barbara Darling, has become the first woman bishop in Australia to conduct an ordination.

As Vicar-General of the diocese while the Archbishop, Dr Philip Freier, is on leave, Bishop Darling ordained 20 deacons in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on Saturday. Six of the new deacons are women.

The Revd Professor Dorothy Lee, Dean of Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne, where five of the new deacons were trained, preached at the ordination.

Bishop Darling told reporters that it was a "very joyous occasion", and that several people had written to tell her that they were very touched by the service.

Bishop Darling is Australia's second woman bishop. A third was consecrated last year (News, 13 April 2012), and a fourth will be consecrated in Brisbane in April.