Diocese of Carlisle

News Stories


  • New Dean for Carlisle Cathedral announced

    A South Lakeland vicar has today been announced as the 42nd Dean of Carlisle Cathedral.

    The Rev Canon Jonathan Brewster – currently Cartmel Peninsula Mission Community Leader and Interim Team Vicar in the parishes of Haverthwaite, Finsthwaite and Staveley in Cartmel, and Associate Priest in the parishes of St Paul Grange-over-Sands and Field Broughton with Lindale – will take up the post in September.

    The announcement was made this morning by Downing Street after His Majesty The King approved the appointment. It follows the retirement of the Very Rev Mark Boyling as Dean last September.
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  • Archbishop of York's Visit: In Pictures

    The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, joined the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, at the Appleby Horse Fair for the launch of a Gypsy Roma Traveller Friendly Churches initiative.

    They later toured other parts of the county, including calling in at Crosby Ravensworth CE Primary, the Junction 38 Truck Stop and Tebay Services on the M6 to explore its partnership with the mental health charity Growing Well, before a final stop at St Michael's church in Shap. Read more

  • Archbishops welcome Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Friendly Churches initiative

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  • Prayers for our 2023 ordinands

    Please do pray for all those to be ordained Deacon or Priest in just over a month's time. And please remember to uphold their families in prayer also.

    Six people will be ordained Deacon at a service at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday 1 July at 11.30am. Read more

  • Bishop of Carlisle encourages prayers ahead of Coronation

    The Bishop of Carlisle is encouraging people to hold His Majesty King Charles III and the Queen Consort in their prayers, ahead of the Coronation.

    The Rt Rev James Newcome will attend the Coronation service - to be held in Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May – as part of his role as Clerk of the Closet in which he heads up the Ecclesiastical Household.

    The Church of England has published a special book of prayers - 'Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III' - which runs from April 9 (Easter Sunday) up to the Coronation Day, and includes daily prayers, readings, and reflections.
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  • Cumbrian pair honoured with Maundy money

    Two people from Cumbria have received Maundy money in recognition of their decades of Christian service to church and community.

    Rob Cook and Doris Downton joined 74 men and 74 women - equal to the age of His Majesty King Charles III – who were presented with the money at York Minster on Maundy Thursday.

    King Charles was joined by the Queen Consort as he presented the Maundy money, having previously handed it out in 2022 on behalf of Her Late Majesty The Queen.
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  • The Bishop of Carlisle's Easter Message 2023

    In a final filmed Easter message before retirement, the Bishop of Carlisle considers three fundamental questions raised by the Resurrection of Jesus.

    The Rt Rev James Newcome – who will stand down at the end of August - was filmed at his home in Keswick and in exploring the Resurrection asks three questions: Is it true? Does it work? How does it make me feel?

    Responding to the first question, Bishop James explains: “The whole Christian faith revolves around the Resurrection, which, if true, has to be the most important event in the history of this world. It changes everything. But if it isn’t true, Christianity is the biggest and most successful hoax, or scam, humanity has ever seen.”
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  • Extensive Diocesan consultation for next Bishop of Carlisle

    An extensive Diocese of Carlisle consultation has been launched in support of work to appoint a new Bishop of Carlisle.

    Earlier this month, the Rt Rev James Newcome announced he would retire from his role as Diocesan Bishop at the end of August.

    As a result, a Vacancy in See Committee has now been convened and has begun the process for discerning and appointing the next Bishop of Carlisle. Two sub-groups have been created: one a drafting group for a Statement of Needs and a second consultative group.

    Five in-person meetings are to be held as part of a diocesan consultation, as well as an online consultation (via Zoom). An online questionnaire has also been published which as many people as possible are encouraged to complete.
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  • The Bishop of Carlisle announces plans to retire

    The Bishop of Carlisle has announced he is set to retire after more than 20 years’ senior leadership ministry in Cumbria.

    The Rt Rev James Newcome and his wife Alison first came to the county in 2002, following his appointment as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith. Seven years later he was appointed the Diocesan bishop.

    This morning Bishop James has sent a letter to all clergy and Church of England schools in the Diocese, signalling his plans to retire at the end of August. A special service of thanksgiving for his ministry is planned for Sunday 16 July at Carlisle Cathedral.
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  • Bishop’s Australian fact-finding social care trip

    The Bishop of Carlisle is set to travel to Australia to explore how the church there is supporting social care provision.

    The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has asked the Rt Rev James Newcome to make the trip in his role as the Church of England’s lead bishop on health and social care.

    Bishop James will fly out to tomorrow (Thursday 16 February) prior to spending eight days exploring the work of Anglicare Southern Queensland. Read more

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