THE Archbishop of Canterbury has appointed the Bishop of St
Edmundsbury & Ipswich, the Rt Revd Nigel Stock as Bishop at
Lambeth.
Bishop Stock will join the Archbishop's staff in October,
vacating his see. Since January, he has chaired the women-bishops
working group (
News, 15 February).
The Bishop at Lambeth has usually been a bishop who acts as the
chief of staff. The last was the Rt Revd Richard Llewellin, from
1999 to 2004.
Lambeth Palace said that Bishop Stock would have "responsibility
for supporting the Archbishop's work in the House of Bishops, the
Synod, and the Archbishops' Council, and being a key point of
contact for Lambeth Palace for Bishops". He will also engage in
ecumenical and interfaith work.
Bishop Stock said: "The Archbishop is aiming to work with a
smaller staff at Lambeth, but is looking to make it a responsive,
courteous, and hospitable place from which to conduct his
ministry."
Chris Smith, the Chief of Staff since 2003, will leave in
October "to pursue other interests", Lambeth Palace said.
Archbishop Welby expressed gratitude to Mr Smith for "ensuring a
smooth handover during this period of transition".
Kay Brock, Secretary for Public Affairs and Deputy Chief of
Staff, will become Chief of Staff in October, "implementing the
Archbishop's strategy, managing Lambeth Palace, and having
responsibility for the Archbishop's engagement with public
life".
Lambeth Palace announced on Thursday the appointment of Canon
Chris Russell, Vicar of St Laurence, Reading, as the Archbishop's
Advisor for Evangelism and Witness. Canon Russell will work
part-time on Archbishop Welby's personal staff and remain Vicar of
St Laurence. "The focus of this new role will be to help
implement the Archbishop's priority of the re-evangelisation of
England and ensure that evangelism remains central to the
Archbishop's ministry", Lambeth Palace said.