The Dean of Monmouth, the Very Revd Dr Richard Fenwick has been elected as Bishop of St Helena by the Bishops of the Synod of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. He will succeed Bishop John Salt OGS who is retiring. It is expected that he will be ordained bishop in South Africa in May.
The Diocese of St Helena is in the South Atlantic Ocean and includes the island of St Helena (where Napoleon was exiled) and Ascension Island.
Dr Fenwick knows St Helena well. He is chairman of the St Helena Diocesan Association in the UK and has worked on the island several times. During his last visit he installed a new organ in St Paul’s Cathedral, which is situated up in the hills, some five miles from the capital, Jamestown. As well as being the Bishop he will also be the Dean and in charge of the cathedral parish.
Congratulating Dr Fenwick on his election, the Bishop of Monmouth, Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS, says: “I am delighted with the news that Dean Fenwick is to be Bishop of St Helena. It is a unique diocese and I know the people there will benefit from his pastoral care and friendship. We shall miss him but I wish Richard and his wife Jane every blessing for their new adventure and ministry.”
Dr Fenwick says: “It is a diocese with a wonderful church tradition, and through the 152 years since it was founded, it has sent so many Saints, both clergy and laity to serve the people of the world. It makes me very proud, and very humble, to think that I will be taking part in that long history of service.”
