Consultation on the next Bishop of Southwark

When a diocesan bishop retires, moves, or dies, the bishop’s ‘see’ (their seat, centred on the cathedral) becomes vacant, so the Church calls this a “vacancy in see”. Bishop Christopher announced his retirement in Advent 2025 and his ministry with us as our diocesan bishop will come to an end in August 2026.

The Vacancy in See is the formal period when the diocese and the national Church work together to discern and appoint the next diocesan bishop.

Every diocese has a Vacancy‑in‑See Committee, which “wakes up” and starts meeting when there is – or will be – a vacancy in the diocesan bishop’s post. Its job is to help the diocese reflect on its needs, prepare key documents, and elect some of the people who will serve on the national Crown Nominations Commission. By law it has two main tasks:

• to prepare a description of the diocese and a Statement of Needs – a formal document that describes the diocese and sets out the gifts, experience and qualities we believe we need in our next bishop. It goes to the Crown Nominations Commission (see below) and becomes one of the key tools they use when they are short‑listing and interviewing candidates
• to elect six diocesan representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission

The Committee will meet several times between February and June 2026, pray together, listen to voices and opinions from across the Diocese, and then agree the profile and priorities for the next Bishop of Southwark. In our diocese the Vacancy‑in‑See Committee has three strands of work:

• the prayer group keeps the whole process rooted in prayer;
• the communications group helps everyone know what’s happening and gathers views;
• and the Statement of Needs group turns all of that into the formal profile.

During a vacancy, the day‑to‑day work of the diocese continues under the care of the senior staff, area bishops and others with delegated authority. The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett – Bishop of Croydon – will serve as Acting Diocesan Bishop during this period.

No single person in the diocese chooses the new bishop – it’s a shared process of discernment between the diocese, the wider Church of England and the Crown. The final appointment is made by the King, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after the Church’s Crown Nominations Commission – the national body that recommends names for diocesan bishops in the Church of England – has put forward a name.

Once the Statement of Needs is finished, the Vacancy‑in‑See Committee elects six of its members to sit on the Crown Nominations Commission  (CNC) for this appointment. Those six join national representatives and the Archbishops’ and Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretaries to shortlist, interview, and, God‑willing, agree a name to recommend. The voting members of the CNC are the two Archbishops (or a diocesan Bishop acting on their behalf), six members elected from the Vacancy-in-See Committee of the Diocese and six ‘Central Members’ elected from the General Synod. The Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments and the Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary are non-voting members of the Commission.

The CNC will use the diocesan Statement of Needs, together with its own consultation, to shape the process when shortlisting and interviewing candidates. After prayer, interviews and discussion it puts a preferred name (and a reserve) to the Prime Minister. 

Appointing a bishop does include things like role descriptions and interviews – but at heart it is a spiritual discernment, not just a recruitment exercise. The whole process is framed in prayer, listening for where God is calling the diocese and which person God is calling to serve as bishop here.

There is a national process for suggesting names to the Appointments Secretaries, sometimes advertised through Church newspapers and diocesan channels. However, for most of us the main call is to pray for those responsible for discernment, rather than lobbying for particular names.

Each parish is part of our wider diocesan family – so by engaging with this process, praying, and taking part in consultations, you are helping to shape the future context in which our local mission and ministry will happen, as well as the gifts and priorities of the next Bishop of Southwark. 

Please pray regularly – for Bishop Christopher, for those on the Vacancy‑in‑See Committee and CNC, and for the person whom God is calling to be our next bishop. Check out the prayer resources below for inspiration. We can pray for wisdom, unity and holiness for everyone involved, that the process is transparent and gracious, and that God will prepare the right person and their family for this call. We can also pray that, during the vacancy, our diocese will grow in faith, hope and love, and that we will be ready to welcome and support our new bishop when they finally arrive.

Secondly, people can take part in diocesan consultations – surveys, meetings, and conversations – and share their experiences and hopes for the future of our diocese.

Typically, once a bishop announces their retirement, the Vacancy‑in‑See Committee meets within months to begin its work and produce the Statement of Needs. Our Vacancy-in-See Committee began meeting together in January 2026 – and will conclude its work in June 2026. After that, the Crown Nominations Commission will meet for consultation, shortlisting and interviews. This will take a number of months –  and the announcement of our new bishop will be made in due course.

There are stages when a lot is happening behind the scenes – especially during CNC meetings and confidential interview stages – so there will be quieter periods, where you won’t see much progress (even though the hard work is continuing).

Dioceses usually try to share what they can at key milestones – such as when the Statement of Needs is agreed or CNC dates are set, while respecting the confidentiality of candidates – so do look out for updates.

These videos can help explain the role of a Bishop:

• CBeebies: What’s on your head? The Bishop’s Mitre
  Especially suitable for use with smaller children, this video explores what a Bishop wears and what that means
• What does a Bishop do?
  A short video from the Diocese of Carlisle
• What does a Bishop do?
  Longer video exploring the role of the Bishop from the Diocese of Rochester

During the service of ordination and consecration of a Bishop, the following words are used to describe the role of Bishop:

Bishops are called to serve and care for the flock of Christ. Mindful of the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, they are to love and pray for those committed to their charge, knowing their people and being known by them. As principal ministers of word and sacrament, stewards of the mysteries of God, they are to preside at the Lord’s table and to lead the offering of prayer and praise. They are to feed God’s pilgrim people, and so build up the Body of Christ.

They are to baptize and confirm, nurturing God’s people in the life of the Spirit and leading them in the way of holiness. They are to discern and foster the gifts of the Spirit in all who follow Christ, commissioning them to minister in his name. They are to preside over the ordination of deacons and priests, and join together in the ordination of bishops.

As chief pastors, it is their duty to share with their fellow presbyters the oversight of the Church, speaking in the name of God and expounding the gospel of salvation. With the Shepherd’s love, they are to be merciful, but with firmness; to minister discipline, but with compassion. They are to have a special care for the poor, the outcast and those who are in need. They are to seek out those who are lost and lead them home with rejoicing, declaring the absolution and forgiveness of sins to those who turn to Christ.

Following the example of the prophets and the teaching of the apostles, they are to proclaim the gospel boldly, confront injustice and work for righteousness and peace in all the world.

During this service, the new Bishop is asked to answer the following questions: 

• Do you accept the Holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?
• Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel?
• Will you lead your people in proclaiming the glorious gospel of Christ, so that the good news of salvation may be heard in every place?
• Will you teach the doctrine of Christ as the Church of England has received it, will you refute error, and will you hand on entire the faith that is entrusted to you?
• Will you be faithful in ordaining  and commissioning ministers of the gospel?
• Will you promote peace and reconciliation in the Church and in the world; and will you strive for the visible unity of Christ’s Church?
• Will you be gentle and merciful for Christ’s sake to those who are in need, and speak for those who have no other to speak for them?
• Will you endeavour to fashion your own life and that of your household according to the way of Christ and make your home a place of hospitality and welcome?
• Will you work with your fellow servants in the gospel for the sake of the kingdom of God?
• Will you accept the discipline of this Church, exercising authority with justice, courtesy and love, and always holding before you the example of Christ?
• Will you then, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, continually stir up the gift of God that is in you, that the good news of Christ may be proclaimed in all the world?

The Bishop-designate is expected to answer ‘By the help of God, I will’ to all of these questions.

The main way to let us know your thoughts on the next Bishop of Southwark is to fill out our online survey. There may also be opportunities to discuss the consultation questions with groups – either locally or in your deanery, episcopal area or at our diocesan syod meeting in March.

The aim is to hear as many voices as possible – from as many different groups in our communities as possible. If many people take part, we get a richer, more honest picture of the diocese – and the Statement of Needs will be much closer to what the whole body of Christ here is experiencing. If only a few speak, the risk is that important needs and voices – including those of younger members, minority groups or smaller churches – are not heard.

We will be listening for what people are thankful for, what is hard at the moment, and where they sense God is calling us as a diocese in the next few years. Out of that, we look for the gifts and qualities we should be asking for in the next bishop – for example, strengths in mission, teaching, pastoral care, or working with diverse communities.

Printable A4 poster for noticeboards

To help as many people as possible respond to our consultation, in addition to the online survey, we’ve created the following downloadable versions that can be used by individuals or groups.

Editable surveys
These are best to use if you want to complete the survey on a computer and return it by email. 

• Editable survey for use with adults
• Editable survey for use with children & young people

Printable surveys
These are best to use if you want to print and manually complete the survey and return it by post.

• Printable survey for use with adults
• Printable survey for use with children & young people
• Worksheet for younger children

Please email completed surveys to [email protected] or send them by post to:

Vacancy-in-See Consultation
Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court
Borough High Street
London SE1 1HW

Please do encourage others to contribute their thoughts, too – the survey will close at noon on 1 April 2026.

Feel free to use or adapt the following to suit your context…

For newsletters

Our Diocesan Bishop – Bishop Christopher – will be retiring this summer, after many years of faithful leadership in our diocese. Because of this, as a diocesan family, we are preparing to begin our search for the next Bishop of Southwark – and we want to hear the views of as many people as possible.

Please take five minutes to fill out a simple online survey before 1 April 2026: www.southwark.anglican.org/newbishop.

For social media

Bishop Christopher is retiring this summer, which means we’re thinking about what our next diocesan bishop should be like. We want to hear from as many people as possible – share your views here by 1 April: www.southwark.anglican.org/newbishop

Suggested image to accompany posts

Download the image here

These printable resources may be useful in helping people to understand the role of a Bishop and the process of a appointing a new Bishop:

• What is a Bishop? 
• How does a new Bishop get appointed?

Prayer bookmarks and postcards will be sent out to all of our churches, to help them pray for our communities and for the person that God is calling to become our next Bishop of Southwark. Digital versions of these are below.

• Bookmark
• Ordinal promises postcard
• Powerpoint prayer slide
• Children’s prayer

We offer the following prayer, which has been specially written for this season: 

God of all times and places,
send us a Bishop who will lead us faithfully
through days of rejoicing
and nights of challenge,
with prayer and Scripture,
with love and laughter,
with bread and wine.

Send your Holy Spirit to guide
those entrusted with this process.
May they recognise the person of your choice,
with ears that are open and hearts that are wise.

Make us thankful for all that has gone before,
ready and hopeful for all that lies ahead,
with a Bishop whose ministry is a blessing
to everyone in Southwark Diocese,
as we hear the good news of Jesus
and delight in the love of God.

Amen.

• Dedicate a portion of a Sunday service to prayer and conversation about what’s most needed in our next diocesan bishop
• Encourage small groups and Bible studies to dedicate a session to discussion and prayer
• Make a laptop available at church for people to access the survey online after worship or at an event
• Print copies of the survey for people who aren’t confident with technology to complete – you could even offer to collect them in and post them to Trinity House for people
• Could one or two members of your congregation offer to sit with people to help them complete the survey – either at a computer or offline?
• Do people in your congregation speak English as a second language? Could a good English-speaker from your congregation translate the survey to enable people to respond – or help them to complete the survey? Please remember that survey repsonses will need to be returned in English as we don’t have the resources to translate responses at Trinity House
• Dedicate a Sunday School or youth group session to exploring what a bishop is and helping the children and young people complete the survey – either individually or as a group
• Make this the focus of your Chapter or Deanery meeting during Lent
• Organise a special coffee morning or PCC event?
• Are you a chaplain? How can you help those you serve – for example hospital staff, university students or prisoners – to contribute? The ‘explainer’ resources might be particularly helpful.

Consultation 

• Online survey
• Editable survey for use with children & young people
  Best to use if you want to complete the survey on a computer and return it by email.
• Printable survey for use with children & young people
  Best to use if you want to print and manually complete the survey and return it by post.

Printable documents

• Worksheet for younger children
  With consultation questions and a special prayer
• Colouring sheet
• What is a Bishop?
  For use with older children and teenagers, this explains the role of a Bishop and outlines the promises they make during the service in which they are ordained and consecrated.
• How does a new Bishop get appointed?
  Suitable for use with older children and teenagers who want to go more in-depth on the process

Videos

• CBeebies: What’s on your head? The Bishop’s Mitre
  Especially suitable for use with smaller children, this video explores what a Bishop wears and what it means
• What does a Bishop do?
  A short video from the Diocese of Carlisle
• What does a Bishop do?
  Longer video exploring the role of the Bishop from the Diocese of Rochester

• EYFS/KS1 Lesson plan – New Bishop of Southwark Consultation
• New bishop colouring sheet
• New bishop activity sheet
  (with consultation questions)
• EYFS/KS1 New Bishop of Southwark PowerPoint

• KS2/KS3 Lesson plan – New Bishop of Southwark Consultation
• New bishop colouring sheet
• New bishop activity sheet
  (with consultation questions)
• KS2/KS3 New Bishop of Southwark PowerPoint

• KS4/KS5 Lesson plan – New Bishop of Southwark Consultation
• KS4/KS5 New Bishop of Southwark PowerPoint
• What is a Bishop? explainer