Archbishop of Canterbury Consecrates New Bishop at Southwark Cathedral

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams, has this week consecrated Wolverhampton's new Bishop, the Rt Rev Clive Gregory, as well as other bishops from the Church of England at a special service in Southwark Cathedral, south London.

|PIC1|The former Team Rector of Coventry East became the youngest bishop in the Church of England, aged just 45.

The service began with Dr Rowan Williams telling the congregation about the different aspects of Christian ministry within the Church of England. He said: "Bishops are ordained to be Shepherds of Christ's flock and guardians of the faith of the apostles, proclaiming the gospel of Christ's kingdom and leading his people in mission.

"Obedient to the call of Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, they are to gather God's people and celebrate with them the sacraments of the new covenant."

The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Rev Colin Bennetts, and the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, presented Gregory to the Archbishop, saying: "Reverend Father in God, Clive (Gregory) has been chosen to Bishop of Wolverhampton in the Diocese of Lichfield. We present him to be ordained and consecrated to the office of Bishop in the Church of God."

The Provincial Registrar, Mr John Rees, the Archbishop's senior legal advisor, then read the Royal Mandate - the command from Her Majesty the Queen confirming her consent to Gregory's nomination as Bishop of Wolverhampton.

The moment of consecration came after Gregory made a number of declarations and the congregation confirmed their will that he should be consecrated.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was joined by the Bishop of London, the Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield, the former Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Rev Michael Bourke, and bishops from across the Canterbury province of the Church of England as they laid hands on Gregory as the Archbishop prayed: "Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant Clive (Gregory) for the office and work of a bishop in your church."

The newly-ordained bishop was then presented with a Bible before being anointed with oil.

Around 350 people - many from Coventry and the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area, were at the service.

Although now legally the Bishop of Wolverhampton, he will not begin his duties until 5 May when he is welcomed into his new role at a service in Lichfield Cathedral.

The Bishop of Wolverhampton is an Area Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield.