10 Downing Street has today announced that the Rt Rev & Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO, who retired as Bishop of London in March 2017, is to be made a life peer.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, has welcomed the news, saying:

“It is wonderful to hear that Richard Chartres will be returning the House of Lords. His deep wisdom, experience and integrity were greatly valued during his two decades on the Bishops’ benches, and I pray that this new role will provide Bishop Richard with a fresh opportunity to offer those gifts in service to our national life.”

Bishop Richard said:

“This is a tribute to the work we have carried out together, across the Diocese of London, over more than 20 years. I hope to continue to speak up for the causes important to London and beyond, contributing to a new chapter – without, of course, treading on my successor’s toes.”

Bishop Richard’s valedictory sermon, preached on Candlemas 2017 at St Paul’s Cathedral, can be found here. Following his retirement as Bishop of London, Bishop Richard continues to hold the post of Dean of HM Chapels Royal until the appointment of the 133rd Bishop of London. A full biography can be found here.