Celebrations as new Bishop is royally appointed to Bristol

By Staff Reporter - 16 May 2018

Community

by Mara Daykin

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Very Revd Vivienne Faull, currently Dean of York, as the 57th Bishop of Bristol.

Viv will be consecrated Bishop at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on 3 July and installed as Bishop of Bristol at Bristol Cathedral in the autumn. Speaking at the Barton Hill Settlement in Bristol following the announcement, Viv said: “This is where my family comes from, and so coming here feels like I am returning home. “It was 24 years ago that Bristol was the first diocese to ordain women as priests, and I want the Diocese to continue to show that pioneering courage. “I look forward to leading a church that shows the love of Christ to everyone, whoever they are.” The Bishop Designate is spending the day at a village church in Wiltshire, a Church School in Chippenham, and the newly announced Pattern Church in Swindon. Viv became the first woman to lead a Church of England Cathedral as Provost and then Dean of Leicester in 2000. In that role, she was incumbent of St Martin, Leicester.  In 2012, she was appointed Dean of York. The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd John Sentamu, said: “I rejoice with the Diocese of Bristol that Her Majesty the Queen has accepted the nomination of the Dean of York, the Very Revd Vivienne Faull, to be the 57th Bishop of Bristol. “Dean Faull leads by following Jesus’ way with insight and oversight, with a readiness to be led as well as to lead. She has been a great Dean for York, taking risks for the Kingdom of God, for example persuading the Dean and Chapter to put on the Mystery Plays inside the Minster. “She has made the Minster a great home of hospitality, worship and friendliness. A comment I will never forget was made by the Head of one of the Minster’s biggest departments who had been prepared for confirmation. I asked 'Why confirmation now?' and the reply came back with a beaming smile, “Because the Dean has, and is, making God credible and believable. “Dean Viv will leave us with our prayers and love, and I am sure she knows that she will be greatly missed.” Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon added: “Having begun to get to know Viv, I am seeing many of the qualities and experience she will bring to this next season of ministry in our Diocese. "As the next Bishop of Bristol, Viv will help us to build on what is and has been fruitful while enabling us to make progress in areas where fresh approaches are needed."

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