The Bishop of London joined the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, as well as Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, to celebrate the consecrations of the new Bishops of Dover and Reading.

The Rt Revd Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the former Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Priest in Charge at St Mary at Hill, Eastcheap, is the first black woman to become a Church of England bishop, and will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral later this month.

The Rt Revd Olivia Graham, the former Archdeacon of Berkshire, was consecrated as the next Bishop of Reading, becoming the first female Bishop in the Diocese of Oxford, one of the largest dioceses in the Church of England.

Speaking of the consecration of the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, the Bishop of London, said:

 “As a priest, as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and as a black woman leader in the Church of England, Rose has been an inspiration during her time in the Capital. She leaves the Diocese of London with our prayers and gratitude for all she has done, particularly for how she has reinforced the role of faith at the heart of public service through her Parliamentary role.

“I believe Rose’s story should continue to encourage others from black and ethnic minority groups considering entering the priesthood. London’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and we must continue to build a church that reflects fully the communities that we serve.”