Bishop of Chichester

Bishop of Chichester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the counties of East Sussex and West Sussex, with the see city in Chichester in West Sussex. The bishop's seat is located at the historic Chichester Cathedral, and the current incumbent is Martin Warner, who was installed in 2012.

History

The diocese was founded in 681 for the Kingdom of Sussex by St. Wilfrid, who established his see at Selsey. Following the Norman Conquest, the see was moved to Chichester in 1075 under the orders of William the Conqueror and his archbishop, Lanfranc. The early medieval period saw significant conflict, such as the dispute between Henry of Blois and King Stephen during The Anarchy. The English Reformation transformed the role, with bishops like John Scory serving under Edward VI before the brief restoration under Mary I. The diocese weathered the English Civil War, during which Chichester Cathedral was vandalized by Parliamentarian forces, and later experienced the Oxford Movement in the 19th century, which revived its Anglo-Catholic tradition.

List of bishops

The line of bishops extends from the first bishop at Selsey, Eadberht of Selsey, through the transfer to Chichester. Notable early bishops of Chichester include Ralph de Luffa, who began building the present Chichester Cathedral, and Richard of Chichester, later canonized. The list includes medieval figures like Robert Rede and John Arundel, Reformation-era bishops such as George Day, and modern occupants like Eric Kemp. The succession is maintained through the legal process of congé d'élire, with names recorded in reference works like the Handbook of British Chronology. The Church Commissioners manage the temporalities of the see, which historically included Chichester Castle and the Manor of Pagham.

Role and responsibilities

The bishop leads the diocese, overseeing ministry and mission across Sussex, and serves as a member of the House of Lords. Key duties include ordaining priests and deacons, confirming candidates, and visiting parishes. The bishop works closely with the Diocesan Synod and appoints archdeacons for the Archdeaconry of Chichester and Archdeaconry of Horsham. As a Lord Spiritual, the bishop participates in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The role also involves ecumenical work with other denominations like the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and governance of institutions such as the University of Chichester.

Cathedral and see

The seat of the bishop is Chichester Cathedral, a Norman and Gothic structure founded in 1075 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Notable architectural features include its detached bell tower and spire, the Shrine of St. Richard, and modern artworks by Marc Chagall and John Piper. The cathedral close contains the Bishop's Palace and the historic Canonries. The see city, Chichester, lies within the South Downs National Park and is known for the Chichester Festival Theatre. The diocesan office is located at Church House, Hove.

Notable bishops

Several bishops have achieved historical prominence. Richard of Chichester (1245-1253) is the diocese's patron saint, famed for his prayer and reform. George Bell (1929-1958) was a noted ecumenist who opposed the area bombing of Nazi Germany during the Second World War and supported refugees like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Eric Kemp (1974-2001) was a leading Anglo-Catholic figure and influential in the General Synod. Earlier, Lancelot Andrewes (1605-1609) was a renowned Jacobean era theologian and one of the translators of the King James Bible, while John Williams (1869-1896) oversaw significant restoration of the cathedral.

Category:Anglican diocesan bishops in England Category:Religion in West Sussex Category:History of Sussex