It was a privilege for the Cathedral to host the service of farewell for Bishop Alan after 16 years of generous, faithful and inspiring leadership as our Diocesan Bishop and 44 years of ordained ministry. 

In the midst of wonderful music and words of thanks, a packed Cathedral offered a well-deserved, long, and resounding standing ovation of thanks, a small symbol of the huge respect and affection in which Bishop Alan is held. 

The Cathedral community is so grateful for Bishop Alan’s dedicated support.  We wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement and assure him of our ongoing prayers in this next chapter of his ministry.

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Who is the next Bishop of St Albans and what is the process of appointing a new Bishop?

The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, the Bishop of Bedford will serve as Acting Diocesan Bishop during the vacancy, supported by the Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Mainwaring who will also take on additional responsibilities at this time.

The discernment process for appointing the 11^th Bishop of St Albans continues. The Vacancy in See committee, which our Dean was chairing, has completed its work and drawn up the statement of need outlining the needs of our diocese. From that committee, six representatives have joined the Crown Nominations Commission (the ‘CNC’). The CNC is responsible for identifying and recommending candidates. It includes the six diocesan representatives, six members from General Synod, the Archbishops or their representatives, and the two appointments secretaries. The CNC meets multiple times to develop the role profile, shortlist candidates, and conduct interviews. Once the discernment process is complete, a candidate’s name—or two names if needed— is submitted to the Prime Minister, who advises the King to make the appointment.

It takes a long time to appoint a bishop! It is expected that it will be about a year before the CNC will be in a position to recommend candidates. The formal appointment and arrival of the new bishop could take until the second half of 2026.

The life and work of the Diocese of St Albans and this Cathedral as the seat of the bishop continues and so we pray during this time of discernment and vacancy:  

Generous God, we pray for our Diocese of St Albans.

As we take this journey of discernment for our new bishop, open our hearts and minds to hear the wisdom of your Spirit.

Be with those who sense a call to this ministry, with those discerning the appointment, and with all those leading and serving us at this time.

In this shared discernment, and always, draw us deeper into your love, that we may live it with joy and courage for your world, in the name, and for the sake, of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen

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Photography by Toby Shepheard