New Bishop of Tewkesbury

Published: Monday July 25, 2016

The New Bishop of Tewkesbury has been announced

Monday 25 July

Downing Street has today announced that the new Bishop of Tewkesbury will be the Venerable Robert Springett.

The role of the Bishop of Tewkesbury covers the whole Diocese of Gloucester. In practice, this means that he will act as the assistant bishop for the Church of England in and around Gloucestershire, working alongside Bishop Rachel.

Robert is currently the Archdeacon of Cheltenham* and will be ordained and consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the morning of 30 November at Canterbury Cathedral. He will also have an official service of welcome in the Diocese on Sunday 11 December in Gloucester Cathedral.

Robert has been the Archdeacon of Cheltenham since April 2010, but has also held a wider role locally and nationally over the past six years. Locally these include being the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, a Trustee of All Saints Academy and a member of the Council of the University of Gloucester. Nationally Robert is a Bishop’s Advisor for the Church on the selection of men and women for ordination and a member of the National Archdeacons Forum.

Robert, who was ordained a priest in 1990, studied business before training for ministry at Lincoln Theological College and Nottingham University. He was awarded a Master’s degree in Theology from London University in 1992. Prior to coming to Gloucestershire, he was the Rector of Wanstead in East London, Area Dean of the London Borough of Redbridge and an Honorary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.

Robert is married to Helen, who is a primary head teacher and they have two daughters, Charlotte aged 22 and Alice aged 17.

Robert said of his appointment. “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been invited to be the next Bishop of Tewkesbury. This is such an exciting time for the Diocese of Gloucester as we renew our vision and focus our efforts afresh on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through our parishes, schools, fresh expressions and chaplaincies. I am looking forward enormously to working with Bishop Rachel and with colleagues old and new in this new role and discovering more of this wonderful diocese, of which it is a privilege to be a part.”

 

Bishop Rachel said. “I am delighted that Robert has accepted the invitation to become the Bishop of Tewkesbury. Having gone through a thorough appointment process, it was clear that Robert is the person being called by God to be our next suffragan bishop. In a time of so much change, Robert’s gifts and wealth of experience will be richly used. He is passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people in and around Gloucestershire and I greatly look forward to working with him in a new capacity. ”

Ends * Responsible for the deaneries (a group of churches) in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury & Winchcombe, Cirencester and the Cotswolds, resourcing and enabling them in their mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

For more information contact:

Lucy Taylor, Head of Communications, 01452 835515, ltaylor@glosdioc.org.uk 07811 174125

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