New Bishop of Peterborough announced
News from the Diocese of Peterborough
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced today that the next Bishop of Peterborough is to be the Ven. Donald Allister, currently Archdeacon of Chester. He succeeds the Rt Revd Ian Cundy, who died in May. The Church of England’s Peterborough Diocese unites churches in Northants, Rutland and most of Peterborough city.
Published: 05/11/2009
The dates of Donald Allister’s consecration as a bishop (which will take place in London) and his installation in Peterborough are as yet undecided but it is hoped that they will be in the early spring.
As his role was announced, Archdeacon Donald said, “I am overwhelmed by this new job but believe it is the Church’s call and God’s call to me. I’m looking forward to leading the Diocese of Peterborough, and getting to know the people, churches and communities there.”
The Dean of Peterborough Cathedral, the Very Revd Charles Taylor, said “I very much look forward to welcoming, installing and working closely with Donald Allister. He has a great loyalty and love for the Church in all its diversity, a breadth of pastoral and administrative experience, a heart for mission and a care for the community.
“His track record reveals a man who, while firm and confident in his faith, has not clung to fixed positions but shown himself willing to travel with others. He will, I am sure, be a bishop for the whole diocese, for people of faith and people of none.”
The Bishop of Brixworth, the Rt Revd Frank White, who has been acting diocesan bishop since the illness and death of Bishop Ian, also welcomed the news. “I am honoured to welcome Archdeacon Donald as he becomes our bishop,” he said. “As the leader of the diocese he will bring fresh ideas and new energy helping us all live more hopefully in a world which needs God’s healing love.
“He will draw on his wide experience as an archdeacon, an excellent foundation for the more public role of the Bishop. As his colleagues in the diocese we look forward to welcoming him and his family to the area.”
Archdeacon Donald says that his first priority will be to listen to the clergy and lay leaders of the diocese, “and hearing from them how they see what’s going on in their areas and the needs and opportunities of the Church. My chief aim is to be a bishop for all the people and parishes of the diocese,” he adds.
“I also relish the opportunity given to me in this new appointment, of sharing faith with people for whom it might be a new thing and of encouraging them further along the road towards knowing God for themselves.”
A biographical summary is appended, and a feature-length biography detailing his current views and experience and including additional comments and quotes is already available on the diocesan website www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/people/donaldalister.htm