Consecration of Bishops at Westminster Abbey
Wednesday, 24th February 2016
The Venerable Karen Gorham, Archdeacon of Buckingham, was ordained and consecrated Bishop of Sherborne in the Diocese of Salisbury; and the Reverend Canon Michael Harrison, Director of Ministry and Mission in the Diocese of Leicester, was ordained and consecrated Bishop of Dunwich in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich at a Eucharist at Westminster Abbey on the Feast of St Matthias the Apostle, Wednesday 24th February 2016.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan, presided at the service.
Before the service the Bishops-designate of Sherborne and Dunwich took the Oath of Allegiance to The Queen's Majesty and the Oath of Due Obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Jerusalem Chamber, in the Deanery.
The Venerable Karen Gorham and Canon Harrison were presented for ordination by the presenting Bishops, who said:
We present them to be ordained and consecrated to the office of Bishop in the Church of God.
During the declaration the Archbishop said:
Bishops are ordained to be shepherds of Christ's flock and guardians of the faith of the apostles, proclaiming the gospel of God's kingdom, and leading his people in mission.
The service was held in the presence of the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury with other bishops and clergy, including the Deans and Chapters of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Leicester, Salisbury and Oxford. Over 1500 guests, family and friends also attended the service.
The sermon was preached by Canon Dr Paula Gooder, Theologian in Residence, The Bible Society.
The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers, and the organ was played by Daniel Cook, Sub-Organist.
The Archbishop of Canterbury presides at the Consecration of Bishops for the Province of Canterbury normally in either St Paul's Cathedral or Southwark Cathedral or Westminster Abbey.
