A NEW bishop of Southampton has been announced by Downing Street.

The Venerable Rhiannon King, who is currently the Archdeacon of Ipswich, is the bishop-designate of Southampton. 

The suffragan bishop of Southampton plays a key leadership role which covers parishes, chaplaincies and school across areas such as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Lyndhurst.

Archdeacon King will be consecrated as bishop on October 18 and welcomed formally at a service in Southampton, before moving to the city to begin her new role.

She said: “I am delighted and humbled to respond to this call to be the next Bishop of Southampton, and I am looking forward greatly to working with Bishops Philip and David, Archdeacon Jean and other colleagues across the Diocese, knowing that I have big shoes to fill, following Bishop Debbie.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to support the clergy and people here in mission and ministry.

“I don’t think there are many greater privileges than serving God and his Church and I can’t wait to learn from as well as contribute to what God is already doing here.”

The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, said: “I am delighted that Rhiannon has been nominated as the next Bishop of Southampton.

“She brings an abundance of helpful experience in parish ministry and in diocesan leadership.”