Election of new Bishop of Exeter formally confirmed

The election of the new Bishop of Exeter was confirmed in a special service at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday night.

The Right Reverend Robert Atwell’s election as the 71st Bishop of Exeter was confirmed in a service led by the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The confirmation of election service bestows the legal title as Bishop of Exeter to Bishop Robert, although he will not start his public ministry until he has met the Queen and taken an oath of allegiance.

He will be installed in a special service in Exeter Cathedral in July, but intends to spend some time on pilgrimage around Devon before then.

Bishop Robert said: “It’s a real honour to be confirmed as Bishop of Exeter and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the county before the installation service and spending time listening to people.”

Bishop Robert was formerly Bishop of Stockport, in the diocese of Chester.