Downing Street has announced that Rev Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough will be the next bishop of Kingston in the diocese of Southwark.
He will be succeeding Rt Rev Dr Richard Cheetham who retired in October.
Before his current role as chaplain to the bishop of Bristol, Rev Dr Martin was the priest in charge of St Luke’s Barton Hill, Bristol and was a Canon theologian at Bristol Cathedral.
Rev Dr Martin studied at the University of Bristol and the School of Oriental and African Studies and trained for ministry by attending the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme.
He has also previously held academic roles at the universities of Warwick and London, and was a professor of Development Politics at the University of Bristol.
Rev Dr Martin said he is “excited and honored” to be consecrated as the new bishop of Kingston.
“My passion is the local church in all its diverse expressions. I can’t wait to get out and about on the ground in the Kingston Area to connect with the parishes, clergy and with our communities and discern with others where God is leading.
“I aspire to a Church which is confident in the transformative power of the Gospel, embedded in the communities we serve - vocal and active in the public square. As Bishop of Kingston, I will do all I can to encourage and support this and to make Jesus known in this generation.”
The bishop of Southwark, Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, said is “delighted” with the appointment and is looking forward to “welcoming him as an episcopal colleague in the Diocese”.
“Martin is passionate about equipping the Church to be confident and bold in its proclamation of the Gospel. With many years of experience as a theological and academic educator, Martin has also ministered in inner-city Bristol as well as at the Cathedral and most recently as Chaplain to the bishop of Bristol.
“He is deeply committed to social and environmental justice and is attracted to the diversity of the Kingston Episcopal Area and wider Diocese of Southwark. He will bring his undoubted pastoral gifts, wisdom and intellectual rigour to his episcopal ministry with imagination, and a spirit of encouragement.
“I commend Martin, Mary, and the family to your prayers.”