The Right Revd Dr Graham Kings, the former Bishop of Sherborne and now Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion based at Durham University, has been licensed as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Durham.
The Right Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham performed the licensing at a short service in the Chapel in Auckland Castle (October 14th).
Bishop Graham joins the other Assistant Bishops in the Diocese in supporting the mission of the Diocese along-side the daily work of Bishop Paul and The Right Revd Mark Bryant, Bishop of Jarrow.
Bishop Paul said: “I am delighted to welcome Bishop Graham to the team and to the his role as Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion at the University. I know that he will bring a new set of perspectives and gifts to the life of the Diocese.
“This appointment is in many ways a strong expression of our commitment to the work of the Anglican Communion here in the Diocese of Durham and to our mission to bless our communities in Jesus’ name for the transformation of us all.”
Bishop Graham said: “I am very grateful to Bishop Paul for licensing me and look forward to learning more about diocesan mission initiatives. It takes the whole world to understand the whole gospel. I hope that theologians from Africa, Asia and Latin America who come to study in Durham University, as part of this project, will also contribute to the vibrant life of the diocese.”
Notes:
Assistant Bishops in the Diocese of Durham
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The Right Revd Glyn Webster, Bishop of Beverley
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The Right Revd Dr Graham Kings, the former Bishop of Sherborne and current Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion
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The Right Revd Dr David Stancliffe, Former Bishop of Salisbury
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The Right Revd John Pritchard, Former Bishop of Oxford
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The Right Revd Martin Wharton, Former Bishop of Newcastle
Mission Theologian Role:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church Mission Society and Durham University became partners in creating an innovative seven year post: Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion in February 2015.
The purpose is to research, stimulate, connect and publish works of theology in the Anglican Communion, with particular focus on insights from Africa, Asia and Latin America, in their ecumenical contexts.
The Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings, formerly Bishop of Sherborne, took up this new post in July 2015. He is based at Lambeth Palace Library, London, visits Durham University three days every three weeks, as an Honorary Fellow, and travels in the Communion. He convenes a series of seminars in Anglican Communion Studies for theologians, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Further details can be found here: http://www.missiontheologyanglican.org/about_mission_theologian_post.php