Downing Street has announced that His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh as the 68th Bishop of Carlisle.

In May 2022, Rob was appointed the Bishop of Penrith and has been the Acting Bishop of Carlisle since September 2023. Having served his curacy in the county from 2005, he has ministered for all but two years in Cumbria.

Bishop Rob, 52, said: “It is such an honour to have been nominated as the next Bishop of Carlisle and to be able to continue to serve this county that I love.

“This will be a time of both continuity and change for the Diocese of Carlisle. I’m a local vicar at heart and love the local church. It’s where we learn together about who God is and what that means for our lives and the place where we can best serve our local communities. There is a rich variety of churches across the county, from those which have stood as a sign of God’s love at the heart of their communities for a thousand years, to those starting new today in village halls or on fellsides. I will do all I can to help each flourish as, together, we seek to share the good news of Jesus. As Bishop of Carlisle, I will also seek to highlight this wonderful county and to do all I can for the people of Cumbria.

“I’m delighted to be able to help lead our county’s ecumenical vision and strategy, God for All, and alongside my denominational colleagues remain committed to seeing more people follow daily, speak boldly, care deeply and tread gently in service to Jesus.”

Bishop Rob served his curacy in Appleby Deanery before moving to the parishes of Dalston with Cumdivock, Raughtonhead and Wreay. He was Bishop’s Chaplain for three years and Director of Ordinands for two. From 2010 he was the Vicar of Holy Trinity Kendal and assistant Rural Dean for seven years prior to his move to the Diocese of Newcastle in 2020 to take up the position of Residentiary Canon Director of Mission and Ministry. He returned to Cumbria in 2022 following his appointment as Bishop of Penrith.

He was born and raised in Birkenhead on Merseyside and attended Birmingham University to study Ancient History and Archaeology, later completing his MPhil research in Archaeology. After working as an archaeologist, he worked for a church in Birmingham and then as a project manager in an IT firm before training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. He is married to Emma. The couple have three children: Ollie (23), Jemima (21) and Hal (19).

Bishop Rob and Emma are touring the county today, starting at Carlisle Cathedral before visiting Ivegill CE Primary School, where their children were once pupils. They will later meet staff and ecumenical leaders at the Diocesan offices, Church House, in Penrith before visiting a social action programme at St Mary’s Westfield. From there they will meet members of the farming community in Rampside in the South Lakes as well as members of the South Lakes Poverty Truth Commission before attending St Lawrence’s Appleby for Evening Prayer.

The Dean of Carlisle, the Very Rev Jonathan Brewster, who will join Bishop Rob on the tour, said: “We are delighted to share the news that Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh has today been announced as the next Bishop of Carlisle. As the current Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, Bishop Rob brings with him a wealth of episcopal experience and a profound connection to Cumbria – qualities that will be invaluable as he prepares to lead our Diocese into the next chapter of its journey.

“We very much look forward to welcoming Bishop Rob to Carlisle Cathedral, where, in due course, he will formally be installed in the bishop’s seat. It will be a joy to continue working alongside him in his new role as, together, we continue to serve the people of our County and Diocese in the months and years ahead.”

The Most Rev and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: “It’s a real joy to welcome the appointment of Rob Saner-Haigh as the new Bishop of Carlisle. His deep love of the gospel combines with a deep love for Cumbria, a heart for service, and a genuine affection for the people and communities he will serve.

“As acting Bishop for the past eighteen months and as Bishop of Penrith and as a parish priest in the diocese before that, Rob knows the diocese well. He has a great team around him and a great desire to work for the building of God’s kingdom in Cumbria. This is an exciting time. Please join me in praying for Rob, for his family and for the Diocese of Carlisle as this new chapter begins.”

Bishop Rob succeeds the Rt Rev James Newcome as Bishop of Carlisle, following his retirement in August 2023. A service of installation and welcome will take place at Carlisle Cathedral on a date to be confirmed.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Photographs to be attributed to Diocese of Carlisle/Stuart Walker Photography

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