The Bishop of Penrith has been appointed to a new role supporting both the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

The Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson will become the Bishop to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, based at Lambeth Palace in London, from 1 June.

It means she will leave her role as Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of Carlisle at the end of May, having been instrumental in leading the relaunch of the county’s ecumenical God for All vision.

Bishop Emma said: “It has been a huge honour to minister and work alongside so many wonderful, Jesus-centred people in Cumbria. Equally it has been a privilege to call this beautiful and diverse county my home in recent years.

“I give thanks for the strong cross-denominational partnerships that are held so dear here and which are clearly demonstrated by the God for All vision. I know that my ministry has grown as a result of working so closely with so many wonderful people.

“So understandably I leave with a mixture of sadness at the closing of this chapter but with a sense of excitement as to what God has planned for my new role.”

The Bishop to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York is a new role, replacing the previous role of Bishop at Lambeth, and configured to work with both Lambeth Palace and Bishopthorpe.Bishop Emma will work closely with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and their teams, as well as playing a key role supporting all the Bishops.

She will also have specific oversight of the programme of the Lambeth Conference in 2022, having been chair of the conference’s working group since last year. That will see bishops come together from across the worldwide Anglican Communion for prayer, reflection, fellowship and dialogue.

Bishop Emma, who lives in Kendal, added: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking up this new role at such a time of great opportunity and challenge for the Church of England, as we emerge from the Covid pandemic.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the Archbishops and their teams at Lambeth and Bishopthorpe to enable the work of healing, renewal and hope that will be needed in the church, and in wider society, in the coming years.

“We have good news to share in Jesus, and it will be a privilege to play whatever part I can in ensuring that good news is heard and received by all."

Bishop Emma was appointed as Bishop of Penrith in May 2018, prior to her consecration at York Minster in February 2019. She came to the role having been Principal of Trinity College, Bristol.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said: “I’d like to begin by thanking Emma for all she has done to grow God’s Kingdom here in Cumbria. She has been instrumental in seeing through our relaunched vision; one which has attracted so much positivity as together we look to follow daily, speak boldly, care deeply and tread gently.

“Emma has brought tremendous oversight and leadership qualities to the relaunched God for All vision. She is a fantastic communicator of the Gospel message and I know she has inspired many others to explore their faith further.

“All of this, married with her strong analytical and strategic skills, will, I’m sure, see her flourish in her new role. We will miss Emma very much here. She will go with our continued prayers and best wishes.”

The Diocese of Carlisle is now exploring the process of looking to appoint a new Suffragan Bishop.

ENDS

Biography – The Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson
The Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson has been the Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle since 2019. She spent most of her childhood in Kenya, before moving to the ‘land of her mothers’, the Welsh Valleys, for her teenage years. She studied English at Birmingham University, including an MPhil on the metaphors used in the ordination of women debates, and a PhD on the language of worship. Emma and and her husband Mat trained together for ordination at Trinity College prior to a job-share curacy in Sheffield, and four years as chaplains to the Lee Abbey community in Devon. Emma joined the faculty at Trinity College, Bristol in 2007 as Tutor in Practical Theology, eventually becoming Director of Practical Training. From 2013-14 she was a Bishop’s Chaplain, before returning to Trinity College as its Principal. In 2016 she was appointed as an Honorary Chaplain to the Queen. She has been a member of General Synod, the Faith and Order Commission, and the Implementation and Dialogue Group. She is chair of the Lambeth Conference Working Group, Central Chaplain to the Mothers’ Union, Chair of CPAS Council of Reference and a Trustee of Emmanuel Theological College. She is author of Busy Living: Blessing not burden (Continuum) and Ambition: What Jesus said about power, success and counting stuff(SPCK). Emma and Mat have two adult children, and two black dogs.

For further information please contact Dave Roberts, Head of Communications, on 07469 153658, 01768 807764 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.