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Downing Street names the new Bishop of Thetford
Downing Street has announced this morning (June 14) that the Ven Ian Bishop, former vicar of the Tas Valley Benefice, is to become the next Bishop of Thetford
The Bishop of Thetford designate is currently Archdeacon of Macclesfield in the Diocese of Chester and will be ordained as a bishop in Westminster Abbey on September 29
Norfolk is a place the Bishop of Thetford designate knows well as he has previously served as vicar of Tasburgh, Tharston, Saxlingham Nethergate, Shotesham, Newton Flotman and Swainsthorpe in the Diocese of Norwich. Ian and his wife Sue are returning to an area full of happy memories for them both
The Venerable Ian Bishop, was born and brought up in Devizes in Wiltshire and worked as a chartered surveyor before ordination. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1991 and priested the following year. He became the Archdeacon of Macclesfield in January 2011
Ian is married to Sue and they have three sons together. In his leisure time, he enjoys theatre, cinema, cricket, golf and amateur dramatics
There will be a service of welcome for him and Sue at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday September 30 at 5.30pm to which all are warmly invited
The Ven Ian Bishop said: “I want to be a pastoral bishop who comes among the people of Norfolk and Waveney with kindness and love, and an ability to listen well. I want to be a missional bishop, to help you grow your church where you are and to nurture the green shoots of growth that you see locally. I am looking forward to being amongst you very much, we have very many happy memories”
The Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich said: “Archdeacon Ian Bishop has a pastor’s heart and an evangelist’s passion which I am sure will contribute greatly to our life together under God in the Diocese. It is a Diocese that he knows well having been a vicar of one of our rural benefices in the past. I have been impressed by how he recognises the importance and challenge to reach children and young people with the Gospel of Christ, and in recent years has prioritised encouraging mission in communities where poverty is a lived experience. I pray that we will be a blessing to Ian and his wife Sue, as they will be a blessing to us”
The Ven Ian Bishop succeeds the Rt Rev Alan Winton, who retired in April 2023. Following the announcement, the Bishop of Thetford designate was due to tour some of the Archdeaconry of Thetford (the geographical area covering South Norfolk and North Waveney), with visits to Preston Church of England VC primary school in Tasburgh, the school attended by his children, and where he previously served as Chair of Governors, the Pathways Café in Great Yarmouth and Great Yarmouth Minster, St Mark’s church in Oulton Broad and Cloverfield community church in Thetford
The tour will conclude with a short service at St Cuthbert’s church in Thetford at 4.30pm to which everyone is invited. Following the service, there will be light refreshments for those able to stay
Watch a video on YouTube introducing the Bishop of Thetford designate, the Ven Ian Bishop.
Pictured above is the Ven Ian Bishop, Bishop of Thetford designate. Picture by Diocese of Norwich and Tile Media
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Keith Morris, 18/06/2023
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