For the first time in its history, the British Parliament will have a female bishop sitting in the House of Lords.

Rachel Treweek, 52, was incorporated as one of the Parliament's 26 Lords Spiritual on Monday, marking an important step in the fight for gender equality within the Church of England. She was introduced by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the bishop of London, Richard Chartes.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Gloucester Diocese posted a photo of her with Archbishop Welby on Twitter.

Treweek had been working in Gloucester, where, in March, she became the first woman to be made a diocesan bishop.

In an interview with "The Observer" newspaper, she defended the decision to appoint her, saying faith should not be viewed through the prism of gender.

"God is not to be seen as male. God is God," she said.

She also told the newspaper that there's still "a long way to go" when it comes to gender inequality within the Church of England, and that more participation from a wider cross section of society is needed.

Treweek said she returned the first draft of her appointment letter because it described her as a "right reverend father in God." Now it simply refers to her as "bishop."

blc/nm (KNA, epd)