Downing Street has today announced the appointment of the Revd Prebendary Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu, currently Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Upper Holloway, and a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral, as the new Bishop of Woolwich in the Diocese of Southwark.

Dr Dorgu has thus far served all his ministry in the Diocese of London. He was ordained Deacon in 1995 and served his curacy at St Mark, Tollington Park before becoming Associate Vicar at St John the Evangelist in 1998, which benefitted under his leadership from tremendous growth and mission developments, despite great challenges and the tragic loss of a young son.

Dr Dorgu is National Vice Chair of AMEN, the Anglican Minority Ethnic Network. During his career in the Diocese of London, he has served as Vice Chair of Stepney Area Bishop’s Council and tutored in theology at St Mellitus College as well as holding a number of posts overseeing the training of Curates and supporting Ordinands in the Stepney Area.

Born and brought up in Nigeria, Dr Dorgu worked as a medical doctor before ordination. He is married to Mosun, a Consultant Child Psychiatrist and they have an adult son, Timi, who is married to Ife.

The new Bishop of Woolwich, Dr Karowei Dorgu, commented: “Mosun and I give thanks to God for the opportunity and the trust bestowed on us by Bishop Richard, who, as Bishop of Stepney, invited me to be Curate at St Mark’s Tollington, in 1995. Under the dynamic and godly leadership of Bishop Richard, God blessed our ministry at St John’s with tremendous growth, as we have seen in the Diocese. I have also had the opportunity to serve in many different capacities during the years. We will miss the bishops, clergy, people and churches in London diocese.”

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, commented: “Karowei has been a brilliant vicar of St John’s Upper Holloway. His faith and joy are contagious. Although it is with some sadness that I see him crossing the river, I believe that his appointment as Bishop of Woolwich is good news for the whole of London.”

You can read the full announcement on the website of No. 10 Downing Street.