Lincoln cathedral has hosted the official installation ceremony for the new city’s bishop, Rt Rev Stephen Conway. Despite his appointment in May, this event represented one of the last steps in the process.

The ceremony, overseen by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Will Adam, drew a crowd of over 1,000 attendees.

Accompanied by approximately 30 students from local schools, Bishop Stephen made his way to the cathedral. The service commenced with the bishop using a staff known as a crosier to knock three times on the west door.

Attendees at the ceremony included the mayor of Lincoln, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, leaders of other faiths from the local community, and the bishops of Grimsby and Grantham. As part of the ceremony, the bishops of Grimsby and Grantham anointed the hands of the new bishop.

Bishop Stephem has been serving in an acting capacity since November 2021, taking on the role following the retirement of the former bishop, Rt Rev Christopher Lowson. Originally from London, he commenced his ministry training in Cambridge in 1983 and served as the bishop of Ely for 13 years before his appointment in Lincoln.