THE diocese of Bristol announced on Wednesday that the person due to be announced as its next Bishop was no longer able to take up the position “due to family reasons”.

The Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Revd Neil Warwick, who has served as acting diocesan bishop since Bishop Vivienne Faull’s retirement last September (News, 14 February 2025), will continue to serve in this capacity.

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) met in April and nominated a candidate, a statement from Church House said. “The individual has since decided, with regret, to withdraw from the nomination for family reasons. The existing CNC for Bristol will reconvene as soon as possible to decide how to proceed.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I know many will be disappointed by this news and will appreciate how difficult the decision to withdraw was for the candidate. Please pray for them, their family and all those affected by this decision.

“I want to thank the Bishop of Swindon, Neil Warwick, for his ongoing service as Acting Bishop of Bristol, and everyone in the diocese of Bristol who is working hard in this period of vacancy.”

She also asked for prayers for the CNC as it reconvenes.

Last year, the person nominated to be the next Bishop of Durham withdrew from the process (News, 21 February 2025). A year later, the appointment of the Ven. Rick Simpson was announced.