As Interim Bishop of Liverpool, Bishop Ruth will work closely with the senior leadership team, the Bishop’s Council, and the Diocesan Synod to support the diocese’s vision and mission as it seeks to be God’s church in the world.
Bishop Ruth Worsley said: “The Diocese of Liverpool is a vibrant and faithful community, and I look forward to working alongside the leadership team, clergy, and laypeople as we navigate this season together. My prayer is that we will listen to God’s voice, find our hope renewed, and seek to live out his love for all by being a Church of welcome, care, and healing.”
The invitation to become Interim Bishop of Liverpool followed consultation with the senior leadership team in Liverpool. Currently the Bishop of Taunton, she brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as Acting Bishop of Bath and Wells and Acting Bishop of Coventry.
Initially, Bishop Ruth will continue her responsibilities as Bishop of Taunton, with appropriate delegations in place to enable her to deal with urgent legal matters in the Diocese of Liverpool. The Archbishop of York has petitioned His Majesty the King to revive the See of Wigan, allowing Bishop Ruth to transition into this role within the Diocese of Liverpool while laying down her role as Bishop of Taunton. Both the Dioceses’ Commission and the Liverpool Bishop’s Council have approved this revival for the duration of her interim ministry.
Following the Bishop of Liverpool’s decision to step back from ministry, Archbishop Stephen has worked with those in the diocese to determine their needs during this transition, with all recognising the importance of a period of healing and renewal.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell said: “To all those affected by the events that have led us here, I offer my heartfelt prayers. The clergy and people of the Diocese of Liverpool have been in my prayers as well. This is a time for healing and for facing the challenges ahead together. I am deeply grateful to Bishop Ruth for offering her leadership and to the Diocese of Bath and Wells for releasing her to support Liverpool in this time of change.”
The Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Revd Beverley Mason, welcomed the appointment:
“I
am so encouraged that Bishop Ruth will be taking on the role of Interim
Bishop of Liverpool. She brings immense experience, sensitivity, and
insight and will play a significant part in restoring joy and confidence
as she leads the diocese in its ministry and mission.”
Over the coming weeks, Bishop Ruth will begin meeting people in Liverpool and performing official legal duties while completing her ministry as Bishop of Taunton.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Liverpool said: “We welcome the decision of the Archbishop of York to appoint Bishop Ruth to lead the Diocese of Liverpool for this interim period. Her experience and wisdom will be a great addition to the leadership of our diocese over the next two years. We are very grateful to Bishop Ruth for being willing to respond to this call and the Diocese of Bath and Wells for enabling her to take up this ministry with us. We look forward to welcoming her in due course as she comes to lead our diocese in this next phase. We move forward together, believing and trusting in our God who is faithful and working his purpose out.”
A commissioning service will take place in Liverpool (date to be confirmed). Her final service in Bath and Wells will be the Chrism Eucharist on the Tuesday of Holy Week. It is expected that from Easter onwards, Bishop Ruth will assume her role fully as Interim Bishop of Liverpool.
In due course, the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will begin the process of appointing a permanent Bishop of Liverpool, at which point the See of Wigan is expected to lapse.