New Bishop installed at Durham Cathedral

Nov 27 2011 by Joanne Butcher, Sunday Sun

The Right Reverend Justin Welby was installed as the new Bishop of Durham yesterday

VOICES joined in hymn and prayer as the new Bishop of Durham was enthroned in his cathedral.

Justin Welby was formally welcomed into his new role by church leaders, local dignitaries and former colleagues, watched on by a big crowd of worshippers.

And he used his first sermon to tell his welcoming congregation how he believed the region was on the brink of opportunity.

As part of the ceremony, Bishop Welby rapped three times on the door of the cathedral with his staff.

He was welcomed in by Christine McDarmont, representing St Chad’s Bensham Community Project, before processing down the aisle and being installed on his throne.

Prayers were said by schoolchildren Lydia Gray, Sam Proud and Sarah Knight as the Bishop was presented to hearty applause.

The 55-year-old, now the fourth most senior figure in the Church of England, then gave a sermon to the packed congregation.

This included Catholic, Baptist and Methodist leaders, the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, the Mayor, the High Sheriff, and guests from the council and university. Bishop Welby said faith had got lost among economics, but a return to God will help us find a way out of the recession.

“We have moved from a national state to a market state,” he said. “The Government is a giant shopping facility and the economy a macro John Lewis.

“This is a time of opportunity. The idols of our age have fallen, toppled by successive economic and political tempests.

“Those who claim authority and power are seen as hollow.

“What we face now is the conclusion of the financial collapse of 2008. That is nothing new for this area.”

He went on: “We are called to follow in the charred footsteps of Cuthbert, of Aidan and of Chad. This region led Europe in spiritual and material renaissance in the past.

“And it will happen - of that I am utterly confident. The capacity exists.”

Bishop Welby, who was educated at Eton and Cambridge, was consecrated at York Minster in October and welcomed to the Durham diocese with the traditional handing over of the falchion, or sword, at Croft bridge, near Darlington, on Friday.

He has five children and spent 11 years in the oil industry, becoming group treasurer of Enterprise Oil PLC, before turning to the church.

He succeeds Bishop Nicholas Wright, who retired last year.