Skip to content

Bishop of St Albans installed at historic service

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageDiocese of St Albans Dr Andrew Rumsey being installed as the bishop, with a red and beige robe being placed over his shoulders. He is standing with his hands together. He is flanked by a man and a woman who are also dressed in similar religious robes. There are six large candles in the foreground.Diocese of St Albans
The Right Reverend Andrew Rumsey has become the 11th Bishop of St Albans

The Right Reverend Andrew Rumsey has been formally installed as the 11th Bishop of St Albans.

More than 1,500 people, including local dignitaries, attended the ceremony at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday, with a further 4,000 viewers joining the service via a livestream.

It followed news of his appointment in March, having previously been the Suffragan Bishop of Ramsbury in the Diocese of Salisbury.

Speaking on the personal significance of the occasion, the bishop, who grew up locally, said it was "a poignant and powerful day for me, marking both a return home and a new beginning".

He added: "The faith, hope and love I found as a child in the Diocese of St Albans are very much alive today - and needed more than ever in our country and communities."

News imageDiocese of St Albans The incoming bishop knocking on a large wooden door of the cathedral with a shepherd's crook. He has grey hair and is wearing a white robe and a dog collar. The door is flanked by big stone pillars.Diocese of St Albans
The incoming bishop carried out the traditional ceremonial knocking on the West End doors of St Albans Cathedral, asking for permission to enter

The service represented the first major public symbol of the bishop's ministry across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Barnet.

It was overseen by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He was handed the crozier - a staff shaped like a shepherd's crook, symbolising his role as shepherd to the diocese - by the Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore.

During his installation sermon, Dr Rumsey described the present day as "stony and thin-soiled times", reflecting the recent dry summer as a metaphor for modern challenges.

He called on the congregation to "imagine your bit of the world differently" and build a future grounded in "fresh planting and tenacious old roots".

News imageDiocese of St Albans A newly installed bishop outside the cathedral entrance, with one arm in the air and two fingers close together. His other hand is on a long ceremonial staff. He is surrounded by two women and a man who are also in religious robes. The woman in front of him is holding a large piece of paper, which appears to have something written on it.Diocese of St Albans
The bishop blessed the city of St Albans following his installation

Kelly-Moore said: "Our history here began in Roman times with a simple act of welcome and shelter, when Alban, a local citizen, gave refuge to the fleeing priest Amphibalus.

"Holding to that same tradition of welcome, we are so glad to welcome Bishop Andrew as he comes to lead and minister with us."

Following the service, celebrations continued in the cathedral grounds, where 1,000 cupcakes were distributed to well-wishers.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links