10 Downing Street has todayannounced that the Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher is to become the next Bishopof Norwich. Bishop Graham was ordained as the fifth Bishop of Dudley in March2014 and has served as the Suffragan Bishop across the whole of the Diocese ofWorcester. He will leave our diocese at the end of July and will be formallyenthroned as the Bishop of Norwich in Norwich Cathedral in the late Autumn.
On his appointment, BishopGraham said:
It is adelight, but also somewhat daunting, to have been nominated to be the nextBishop of Norwich and Im looking forward to the adventure with God in Jesusthat lies ahead. What Im truly grateful for is how the people of the Dioceseof Worcester have shaped me as a bishop. You have taught me much, as has BishopJohn and other colleagues; thank you with all my heart. Having lived in Dudleyfor the last five years, I will miss the warmth of those who begin almost everyconversation with the word awlroight. The people of Dudleys care andencouragement, together with those in the rest of the diocese, have meant muchto Rachel and me. I look forward to hearing about how the diocese flourishes inthe years ahead and you will remain much in my prayers.
Bishop John said:
"I shall miss Bishop Grahamgreatly, as will many others. He has been a wonderful gift to the Diocese ofWorcester and has given an enormous amount to individuals, churches and widersociety. The leadership role he has played in the Metropolitan Borough ofDudley has been invaluable there. I am personally very grateful to him for hisfriendship and support and am sad that we are losing him.It was only a matter of time, I suppose, andthe people of the Diocese of Norwich are very fortunate to be receiving him. Heand Rachel and the family go with our heartfelt gratitude, our love and ourprayers."
Before becoming a Bishop,Graham was Rector of Hexham Abbey. He has also lived and worked in innerMiddlesborough and Ghana, Africa. As Bishop of Dudley, Graham currently chairsthe Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District (CHADD) which providesthe womens refuge, housing for homeless teenagers, and residential support forelderly people who live with long-term mental ill health. He also serves asDudley Councils Independent Person for standards and leads on the communitystrand of the Forging Ahead vision for Dudley. Graham maintains an interestin ecology as a member of the Church of Englands Environmental Working Groupand in medical ethics as a board member of the Human Tissue Authority.He is a member of the InternationalCommission for Anglican Orthodox Theological Dialogue.
Following his announcement,Bishop Graham will today be touring the Diocese of Norwich, visiting a localhousing trust, a primary school garden and outdoor reflective space, a churchafter-school club run by volunteers. Later this afternoon he will be welcomedto the diocese at a special Evensong at Norwich Cathedral where he will givethe blessing.
Read more about Bishop Graham.
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