THE post of bishop in Lambeth has been abolished and replaced by “the bishop of the archbishops of Canterbury and York,” it was announced on Monday. The first incumbent of the new post, Dr Emma Ineson, currently Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, says she will use the post to bring the north and south of England closer together.

The current Bishop of Lambeth, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, announced his retirement earlier this year (News, February 12). The new arrangement aims to “facilitate closer work” between the palaces of Lambeth and Bishopthorpe, a Lambeth note explained.

Dr Ineson will be leaving his home in Kendal, Diocese of Carlisle, in May. Like Bishop Thornton, she will be based at Lambeth Palace in London, but she said on her appointment on Monday: “I am excited, as I believe there is a real opportunity to work more closely between the two archbishops and the two. offices. It is a very good thing for the north and the south: I am delighted, especially coming from the north-west that I am, to play a role which includes both Provinces. The role itself signals important developments.

This includes work on the Church’s vision and strategy, she said. “We are entering a new era. We do a lot of work on vision and strategy and on the emerging church; this is such a key point for the Church as we emerge after Covid, so there will be new and broader elements in the role, which I will savor. I have already been involved with Archbishop Stephen in vision work.

This process, she said, “was very well discerned in partnership with people around the C of E, so all kinds of voices were heard, especially the younger ones; we’re trying to engage with a younger, more diverse group of people.

She continued, “I look forward to consolidating some of the things we’ve heard coming out of this, especially the development of a mixed church ecology, to ensure that our church reflects the communities it serves and serves. . . We have so much to say in terms of hope, who God is, and the work God can do in people’s lives.

From June 1, Dr. Ineson will work directly for the two Archbishops, and in close collaboration with the College of Bishops and the House of Bishops, and national church institutions. She will also have special oversight of the Lambeth 2022 Conference program (News, January 15), of which she is already chairing the working group. However, Dr Ineson will not be serving as bishop of the forces or episcopal commissioner in the Falkland Islands, both of which are functions of the current bishop in Lambeth.

“We have some really exciting bishops’ conversations, which are opportunities for all bishops in the Anglican fellowship to come together – mostly on Zoom – in small groups to get to know, worship and pray. Just sorting out the practicalities and organizing that will be a big part of my role for the next few months. “

Dr Ineson is a former Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol and was Principal of Trinity College Bristol from 2014 to 2019. She was appointed Bishop of Penrith in May 2018 (News, May 11, 2018) and dedicated to York Minster the following February.

She spent most of her childhood in Kenya, with her family moving to Wales when she was a teenager. She studied English at the University of Birmingham, then obtained a Masters and a Doctorate. on the language of worship. She and her husband, Mat, trained for ordination together at Trinity College before taking up a post in Sheffield and then serving as chaplains in the community of Lee Abbey in Devon.

She was a member of the General Synod, of the Faith and Order Commission and of the Implementation and Dialogue Group. She is also Central Chaplain of the Union of Mothers, President of the Reference Council of the CPAS and administrator of the Emmanuel Theological College. She wrote two books: Busy with life: blessing is not a burden (Continue) and Ambition: What Jesus Said About Power, Success, and Things to Count (SPCK) (Commentary, November 29, 2019; Podcast, December 12, 2019).

She said: “I really enjoyed my stay in the Diocese of Carlisle. It is with very mixed feelings that I leave here: enthusiasm for the new role, but I will carry the hills of Cumbria in my heart to central London as I move. I am just extremely grateful to the communities of Carlisle who have welcomed me over the past few years.

The Bishop of Carlisle, The Right Reverend James Newcome, thanked Dr Ineson for his “instrumental” work in the diocese. “Emma brought tremendous qualities of oversight and leadership to God’s re-launched vision for all. She is a fantastic communicator of the gospel message and I know she has inspired many others to explore their faith further. All of this, coupled with her strong analytical and strategic skills, will, I’m sure, see her blossom into her new role.

Archbishop Welby said, “I know she will bring her tremendous wisdom, humor and humility to this role, as well as her wealth of experience as an exceptional chaplain, teacher and preacher. Archbishop Stephen and I look forward to working with Bishop Emma on issues relating to the emerging Church, the role and nature of bishops’ meetings, and the priorities we face.

“As we look forward to the Lambeth Conference, in which Bishop Emma will continue to play a pivotal role, her genuine and practical ministry will be of invaluable value to the worldwide Anglican fellowship.”

Archbishop Cottrell said: “His theological depth and pastoral heart will be of immense blessing in this important ministry, not only to Archbishops but to the Church of England as we strive to be a simpler Church. , more humble and more daring.