People from across Cumbria will gather on Saturday 29 November to welcome The Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh as he is formally received as the 68th Bishop of Carlisle during a special service of welcome and enthronementatCarlisle Cathedral at 2p.m. It marks an important moment for the county, as someone who has lived, served and prayed among Cumbrian communities for most of his ministry begins this next chapter of leadership.

More than 500 people from across the county, the UK and overseas will attend the ticketed service, with many more expected to join the livestream on the Diocese of CarlisleYouTube channel. Behind-the-scenes moments will also be shared throughout the day across the Diocese’sand Cathedral’ssocial media pages.

The service reflects the heart of the county: rooted, hospitable and shaped by shared traditions. Bishop Rob will arrive on foot, having walked a section of the Cumbrian Way, symbolising his desire to journey alongside local churches and communities. He will knock on the Cathedral’s West Door, be welcomed by young people from across the county, and take his seat in the Cathedra, the ancient bishop’s seat, as prayers, music and readings (including one in Cumbrian dialect) celebrate the life and faith of Cumbria.

Apart from a short period serving in the North East, Bishop Rob has spent almost all of his ordained ministry in Cumbria. Since arriving in 2005 to serve his curacy in Appleby Deanery, he has ministered in Dalston with Cumdivock, Raughtonhead and Wreay. He later became Bishop’s Chaplain and Director of Ordinands, before spending 10 years as Vicar of Holy Trinity, Kendal. In 2022 he was appointed Bishop of Penrith, and since 2023 has been serving as Acting Bishop of Carlisle. These roles have rooted him deeply in the people, landscapes and churches of the county.

Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh said:“It is such an honour to be Bishop of Carlisle and to be able to continue to serve this county that I love.

We are committed to 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. These must be places of welcome and friendship, places where all can come to discover more of God’s love for them and God’s purpose for their lives. I will do all I can to help each flourish as, together, we seek to share the good news and hope 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 work alongside my brothers and sisters in other churches, praying and working together to see more people come to know Jesus, help people follow him and to see God’s blessings for those placeswhere we live.”

Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, said:“Bishop Rob knows and loves this county, its churches and its communities. His deep commitment to serving alongside others is already well established here. This is a hopeful moment for Cumbria, and we are delighted to share it with so many people from across the county and beyond.”

Bishop Rob continues to champion the county’s ecumenical God for All vision, working with churches of many traditions to support mission, prayer and community life throughout Cumbria. He succeeds the Rt Revd James Newcome as Bishop of Carlisle, following his retirement in August 2023.

Cathedraldoors will open on Saturday 29 Novemberat1p.m., with invited guests asked to be seated by 1.30p.m. A retiring collection will support the Carlisle Diocesan Growth Fund, which helps to resource mission and community projects across Cumbria.

The service of welcome and enthronement will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Carlisle Youtube Channel and Carlisle Cathedral Facebook Page.

Diocese of Carlisle YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJxsFZslBdh8MLQuyFSaWAQ

Carlisle Cathedral Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/CarlisleCathedral?locale=en_GB