THE Archbishop of Canterbury has appointed the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton, as Bishop at Lambeth.

Bishop Thornton will join the Archbishop’s staff in September, vacating his see. He will succeed the Rt Revd Nigel Stock, who retires in August after four years at Lambeth Palace (News, 10 March).

Lambeth Palace said that Bishop Thornton’s duties would include supporting Archbishop Welby’s work in the House of Bishops, the General Synod, and the Archbishops’ Council. “He will also be heavily involved in the Lambeth Conference 2020, and take on the role of Bishop to the Forces”, a statement said.

The Bishop at Lambeth has in the past acted as the chief of staff. But Archbishop Welby has employed a separate Chief of Staff (Kay Brock, from 2013 to 2016, and David Porter since last year) to implement his strategy, manage Lambeth Palace, and take responsibility for his public-affairs work.

Bishop Thornton said: “It will, of course, be a real sadness to leave Cornwall. However, I am very much looking forward to working with the staff at Lambeth, and thinking about how we continue to embed Archbishop Justin’s priorities of prayer, evangelism, and reconciliation into the life of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.”

Archbishop Welby said that Bishop Thornton “brings a wealth of experience to the role. He already has extensive knowledge and understanding of the College and House of Bishops, and a heart for those on the margins of society, who are often overlooked. His work on Feeding Britain demonstrates his range of ability and skill in bringing people together.”

Bishop Thornton was translated to Truro in 2009, having served as Bishop of Sherborne in Salisbury diocese from 2001.