New Bishop of Salisbury consecrated during ceremony in London
He will undertake official duties in a couple of months
Last updated 25th Apr 2022
The next stage of the journey for the 79th Bishop of Salisbury has been completed.
The Rt Revd Stephen Lake has been ordained at a ceremony in London, in front of many members of the Diocese of Salisbury and other bishops.
The service was held at Southwark Cathedral and was presided by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
He joins the diocese as the former Dean of Gloucester and moved to the city with his family over Easter.
He won't start official duties just yet though.
That will happen after he has his enthronement service at Salisbury Cathedral in June.
Bishop Elect, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, said:
“The ordination of a bishop is a significant moment for the person and the church alike. I shall undertake this new ministry with dedication and reliance upon the grace of God. It is a real joy that the preacher at my consecration is the Very Revd Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury, who was my training priest when I was a curate. Both in terms of Robert preaching and my returning to Salisbury Diocese, this feels like God has known about this for a long time! I look forward to the other stages of arrival in the diocese and sharing with others in this exciting time”.
He will take over from the acting Bishop and current Bishop of Sherbourne Karen Gorham.
The RT Revd Karen Gorham said:
"The consecration of a bishop is always a special occasion as family and friends, many of whom have seen a ministry develop, come together to celebrate the transition to a new ministry. The service is marked by the making of promises, the laying on of hands, anointing with oil and the giving of a ring, pectoral cross and crosier all signs of God’s call and the task that lays ahead. Bishops are reminded that they cannot do this in their own strength but only with God’s help. Together as Bishops, Stephen, Andrew and I will seek to model the ministry of a teacher, leader and shepherd within the diocese, each of us having particular roles and responsibilities, with Stephen leading us into a new phase of diocesan life."
Stephen trained for ministry at Chichester Theological College and is returning to his roots with this appointment.
He grew up in Poole, held his curacy at Sherborne Abbey with Castleton and Lillington and was ordained Priest in 1989.