Bishops of London

Bishops of London are the diocesan bishops of the Diocese of London in the Church of England. The bishop's seat is located at St Paul's Cathedral, a historic landmark in the City of London. This office is one of the most senior positions in the Anglican Communion, traditionally ranking immediately after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York as the "Third Bishop of England." The current and 133rd bishop is Sarah Mullally, who was installed in 2018.

History of the Diocese

The origins of the diocese are ancient, with a traditional founding date in the Roman period and the first historically recorded bishop being Restitutus at the Council of Arles in 314. The early diocese was largely destroyed following the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain but was revived in 604 when Mellitus was consecrated by Augustine of Canterbury. The medieval diocese was vast and powerful, though its authority was later circumscribed by the creation of the Diocese of Westminster and the English Reformation. Key events shaping its history include the Great Fire of London, which led to the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral under Christopher Wren, and the Oxford Movement, which significantly influenced its modern character.

List of Bishops of London

A continuous list extends from the 7th century, including notable figures such as William Laud, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury and was a key advisor to King Charles I during the Personal Rule. In the 18th century, Edmund Gibson was a formidable church statesman and adviser to Robert Walpole. The 20th century saw influential bishops like Arthur Winnington-Ingram, a long-serving bishop during the First World War, and Graham Leonard, a leading voice in Anglo-Catholicism. The list demonstrates the office's evolution, from early medieval missionaries like Erkenwald to modern appointments such as Richard Chartres and the first woman to hold the post, Sarah Mullally.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Bishop of London holds significant ecclesiastical authority as the ordinary of the diocese, overseeing its five episcopal areas: the City of London, the Three Hundreds of Chiltern, the Willesden Area, the Edmonton Area, and the Kensington Area. Key roles include serving as a permanent member of the House of Lords, acting as the Dean of the Chapel Royal, and holding the preeminence of Provost of the College of Canons of St Paul's Cathedral. The bishop also plays a central part in major national ceremonies, such as coronations and state funerals, at Westminster Abbey.

Residences and Notable Churches

The official London residence is The Old Deanery near St Paul's Cathedral, while a second official residence is Bishop's Lodge in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Historically, bishops used Fulham Palace as their primary residence for centuries; its grounds are now a public museum and garden. The diocese contains many architecturally and historically significant churches under the bishop's care, including the Temple Church, St Bartholomew-the-Great, and St Martin-in-the-Fields. The bishop also has a special relationship with the Royal Peculiar of the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

Bishops in National Life

Bishops of London have frequently played prominent roles in the political and social history of England. Figures like Robert of Jumièges and William Courtenay were deeply involved in the politics of the Norman Conquest and the Peasants' Revolt, respectively. In more recent centuries, bishops such as John Colenso (though his controversy was primarily in Natal) and David Hope have been influential in theological and social debates. The position remains a significant voice on national issues, with incumbents often engaging in matters of public policy, interfaith dialogue with leaders of Methodist and Roman Catholic communities, and national events like the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Category:Bishops of London Category:Diocese of London Category:Church of England bishops