New bishop for Brighton and Hove will ordain women

The new bishop for Brighton and Hove said that he would ordain women.

The Bishop of Lewes Richard Jackson, who takes up his post in May, will be the first bishop in the Diocese of Chichester – which includes Brighton and Hove – to do so.

Mr Jackson, 53, a married father of three, said: “The area that I’m looking after is very diverse.”

It covers all of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove in a diocese that covers East and West Sussex.

Mr Jackson said: “I’m hoping to be a bishop for everybody.

“I will be ordaining women to the ministry. I’m very much looking forward to the first ordination of women priests by a serving bishop in the diocese in June.”

Richard Jackson

Speaking after his appointment was announced, he stepped deftly around another tricky matter for the Anglican movement but one which is more relevant in Brighton and Hove than in many places – sexuality.

Gay marriage and the sexuality of ministers have both attracted a great deal of attention.

He said that he would be listening to people’s views, adding: “Within the church in Brighton and throughout Sussex there are people and priests of different sexualities.

“It’s important to add though that the church welcomes everybody.”