Falklands : New Anglican Bishop for the Falkland Islands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.01.2007 (Article Archived on 04.02.2007)

It's all change for us at the Cathedral! The Council and congregation announce the appointment of a new Commissary.

Photo (c) Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, Falkland Islands. Photographer - Keith Biles

New Anglican Bishop for the Falkland Islands.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Archbishop of Canterbury has held the position of Bishop of the Falkland Islands and Dean of Christ Church Cathedral.

The Council and congregation of the Cathedral are pleased to announce that the present Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, has officially appointed the Rt Revd Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, as his Episcopal Commissary for the Falkland Islands. Bishop Stephen will be known as the Bishop for the Falkland Islands. He will in effect become the Anglican Bishop for the Falklands, under the authority of the Archbishop.

Bishop Stephen is no stranger to the Islands, having taken an interest in the Falklands since 2001, when he was invited to sponsor Kathy Biles for training for ordination.  His first visit to the Islands was in January 2006 on the occasion of Kathy’s ordination.  He will return in June 2007 to visit the parish and to take part in the 25^th Anniversary Liberation Day service in Christ Church Cathedral.

Bishop Stephen’s ‘day job’ is as the bishop with responsibility for the Diocese of Canterbury, where he provides day to day leadership on behalf of the Archbishop. So his appointment will enhance the existing links between the Anglican Church in the Falkland Islands and the Diocese of Canterbury and provide a welcome continuity of pastoral care for the Cathedral and the Islands.

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