Consecration of the Bishop of Shrewsbury

Wednesday, 28th October 2009

The Reverend Mark Rylands, Canon Missioner for Exeter Diocese and Cathedral, was ordained and consecrated to the episcopate as Suffragan Bishop of Shrewsbury by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops at a Eucharist in the Abbey on Wednesday 28th October 2009.

Before the service the Bishop-designate of Shrewsbury 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, part of the Abbey’s Deanery. Canon Rylands was presented for ordination by the Bishop of Exeter and the Bishop of Lichfield, in the presence of 30 bishops, including two from the Old Catholic Churches. Over 50 clergy and over 500 guests, family and friends also attended the service.

The sermon was preached by The Reverend Canon Robin Gamble, Diocesan Evangelist for Bradford and Priest-in-Charge of Idle. 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 James McVinnie, Assistant Organist.

The Archbishop of Canterbury presides over the Consecration of Bishops for the Province of Canterbury normally in either St Paul’s Cathedral or Southwark Cathedral or Westminster Abbey.