Archdeacon of Chichester appointed as Bishop of Richborough
Bishop Martin has welcomed the news this morning that Fr Luke Irvine-Capel, Archdeacon of Chichester, has been appointed Bishop of Richborough, succeeding the Right Reverend Norman Banks, who retired earlier this year.
The Bishop of Richborough has pastoral and sacramental oversight for Society parishes in the eastern half of the southern province of the Church of England.
The Bishop said today: “I am delighted that Fr Luke has been chosen to be the next Bishop of Richborough.
“It has been very satisfying to watch his wide-ranging gifts mature in archidiaconal ministry, which he has always exercised as though he were still a parish priest. That is a great achievement!
“His sense of humour will stand him in good stead for episcopal ministry, as will the seriousness of his sense of holiness and the urgency of our sacred mission.”
The date and venue for Fr Luke’s ordination to the episcopate have yet to be confirmed.
Pastoral note: A Bishop's Advisory Group for appointing a new archdeacon of Hastings has already met. This group will now be widened to include representation from the West of the diocese and the archdeaconry of Chichester. The bishops of Horsham and Lewes are both members of the Group, which will meet again early in the new year to press ahead with the appointment process.
The Bishop of Chichester will take over from the Archdeacon of Chichester as Chair of the Board of Education.
Please pray for Fr Luke, and for his family, as he prepares for episcopal ministry.