News Archive - January 2009

New Bishop of St Albans appointed

The Right Rev Alan Smith, has been named as the new Bishop of St Albans, succeeding the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, the 9th Lord Bishop of St Albans, who retired last week on his 65th birthday. He will take up the new post at Easter.

Bishop Smith, who is currently Area Bishop of Shrewsbury, will head a diocese which covers Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and parts of the London Borough of Barnet, with a cathedra (bishop's seat) located at St Albans Cathedral.

The office was created in 1877 when the diocese was formed from the diocese of Rochester under Queen Victoria. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons.

Bishop Smith, who is single, served as a member of the General Synod from 1999 to 2001, and since 2006 he has been a member of the Rural Bishops' Panel.

He has also written two books, Growing up in Multifaith Britain: Explorations in Youth, Ethnicity and Religion, and God-Shaped Mission: A Perspective from the Rural Church.

His interests include environmental and green issues. He enjoys skiing, travelling, gardening and both playing and listening to music, and is a member of Amnesty International.

Update: Watch Right Rev Alan Smith's video greeting.

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