The Right Rev Paul Williams appointed new Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham
The Right Rev Paul Williams has been appointed the new Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham.
His appointment was announced by Downing Street this morning and he was introduced to media at a press conference held at The Nottingham Emmanuel School in West Bridgford.
The 47-year-old is currently the Area Bishop of Kensington, in the Diocese of London. He will take up his role in the summer, succeeding the Right Rev Paul Butler, who became Bishop of Durham last year.
He said: "I am thrilled at the prospect of joining an outstanding diocesan team committed to advancing the mission of the church for the benefit of all who live in the city and county of Nottingham.
"It’s clearly an exciting time to be moving to the county and I look forward to getting to know people and playing a full part in helping the city fulfil its compelling ambitions, as well as addressing the challenges that communities face across the region.”
"There are over 300 churches in the diocese making a massive difference in every community. I am delighted that I shall be working with some very gifted clergy and congregations, along with ecumenical partners, living as people of confident hope in Jesus Christ. I’m energised by the thought that together we can help create a more hopeful society in which everyone has equal opportunity to flourish.
"I look forward to the exciting challenge of growing the church, especially connecting with younger people and in schools, to help build united and more compassionate communities.”
Right Rev Williams grew up in Somerset and studied at Durham University before training for ordained ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, having first considered becoming a priest in his teens.
His late mother Heather became in 1994 one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England.
The Right Rev Williams served his curacy in North London at St James, Muswell Hill, from 1992 to 1995 and then as Associate Vicar at Christ Church, Clifton, Bristol, to 1999, working especially with students from across the city. From 1999 to 2009 he was the Rector of St James, Gerrards Cross in South Buckinghamshire.
Since 2009 he has been the Bishop of Kensington, overseeing the Church’s mission across a diverse and dynamic part of West London covering six boroughs.
He and his wife Sarah have three sons: Edward, 16, Thomas, 14, and Joseph, 12.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "It is a great joy and delight to welcome Bishop Paul Williams to the Northern Province.
"His evangelistic gifting, leading churches into growth, equipping clergy and laity for mission and ministry, his care for the poor and vulnerable, and his imaginative ministry to children and young people will make Southwell & Nottingham rejoice."