Brighton and Hove’s new bishop to be consecrated by Archbishop of Canterbury next week

The new bishop for Brighton and Hove is to be consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in a service at Westminster Abbey next Wednesday (14 May).

The Bishop of Lewes Richard Jackson will look after the part of the Church of England’s diocese of Chichester that includes Brighton and Hove.

The diocese is an administrative area and the diocese of Chichester covers almost the same territory as the county of Sussex. It has its head office in Church Road, Hove.

The new bishop will be welcomed locally at a service at St Paul’s Church, in West Street, Brighton, at 6pm on Sunday 22 June.

Bishop Richard Jackson

Dozens of friends, family and supporters are expected to travel to Westminster next week for the consecration. They include the bishop’s wife Deborah and his three grown-up children.

The Bishop of Chichester Dr Martin Warner who will lead the exodus from Sussex said: “Everyone is very excited and looking forward to the service enormously.

“It is super for the Chichester diocese and for all his colleagues as we welcome this new chapter in the life of the diocese.”

Mr Jackson is currently the mission renewal adviser and leader of the church growth team in the Chichester diocese.

He trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol, and served in Lindfield and Rudgwick as well as being Rural Dean of Horsham.

The diocese said: “The consecration service is packed with symbolism as the archbishop invites other bishops present to lay hands on the candidate to ordain them to the new ministry to which they have been called.

“Special readings, hymns and prayers are offered and the music will reflect the significance of the occasion.”