The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Richard Michael Cokayne Frith, MA, Bishop of Hull, for election as the 105th Bishop of Hereford.
The Rt Rev Richard Frith said: “It’s a great privilege to become the Bishop of Hereford, but I’m going to miss Hull and the East Riding more than I can say.
“The churches in Hull and the East Riding are wonderful, and it has been a privilege to work with them for the past 16 years.
“These churches are at the heart of their communities, and do their best to serve them in all sorts of ways. I have loved working with them as they bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.
“I have worked with an enormous number of terrific people, both within and outside the church. There have been difficult, challenging times, but also much friendship and laughter. But now it’s time for me to move on, with deep thankfulness for all that I have received from the people of Hull and the East Riding.”
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “Bishop Richard has been a great Ambassador for Urban Life and Faith – and has brought his passion and joyful enthusiasm to his mission for the Diocese of York.
“His servant-leader ministry over the last 16 years has focused very much on the encouragement of others, on building friendships, and growing discipleship across the whole of the East Riding. He goes from Hull to Hereford, with our prayers and our thanks – he is a great friend and a good shepherd. I know that he and Kay will be joyfully welcomed to the Diocese of Hereford.”
The Diocese of Hereford covers the geographic area of Herefordshire, South Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire and Wales. The diocese is one of the oldest in England dating from 676AD and is part of the Province of Canterbury. Bishop Richard will be the 105th Bishop of Hereford.
The news was spread around the Diocese of Hereford by a live stream on their website from the newest school in the Diocese, where the announcement was made locally.
The Bishop’s first engagement in his new Diocese was the announcement at Bishop Hooper School, the newest school in a Diocese, in the tiny village of Ashford Carbonel. It was opened two years ago, amalgamating two small primaries and has eighty (80) pupils; it is named after the previous Bishop of Ludlow. He attended an assembly led by the local vicar, before talking via the web to all those logged-on in the Diocese. He was accompanied by his wife, Kay and the Bishop of Ludlow, Alistair Magowan and the Dean of Hereford Cathedral, Michael Tavinor.