THE date for the installation of the Rt Rev Christopher Foster as the new Bishop of Portsmouth has been set.

Bishop Christopher at the top of Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower

He will be installed and enthroned in Portsmouth Cathedral on September 18. That date will will also mark his official start-date.

Although people from across the diocese will be invited to the main installation service, it’s likely that there will also be a special service of welcome in Newport Minster the following day.

Bishop Christopher, who is currently the Bishop of Hertford in the St Albans diocese, was announced as the next Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth in February, at a press conference at the top of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. He also visited St Matthew’s C of E Primary School in Blackmoor, and Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight. More than 150 worshippers turned up at Portsmouth Cathedral to welcome him to a short lunchtime service that day.

There are a number of formalities that need to happen before Bishop Christopher can take up the job. The first has already happened. The cathedral’s College of Canons – 24 senior clergy and laity from the diocese, plus our residentiary canons and archdeacons – have formally voted for him to become our new bishop.

Bishop Christopher also has to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, for a ceremony in which he is given spiritual responsibility for our diocese. He also meets the Queen and formally pays homage to her as head of the Church of England.

Tickets for the installation service will be given to all licensed clergy and Readers across our diocese. Others will be made available through all parishes and diocesan groups.  

Details of the arrangements will be sent to parish clergy and PCC secretaries and will also be available on the diocesan and cathedral websites from mid-April. In the event of additional tickets being available, details will be circulated in the same way as specified above.