The Right Reverend Sarah Mullally said the Church of England was undergoing a “period of reflection”, with the theme of diversity featuring heavily in her inaugural speech.

Ms Mullally, who is the first woman to hold the third most important role in the Church of England, suggested that the institution should be at the heart of communities if it is to stay current.

“If our churches are going to be more relevant to our communities, that means increasing churches that are led by priests that are women, who come from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups,” she said.

The former nurse acknowledged the division in the diocese of London over the ordination of female priests, and said she is “very respectful of those who cannot accept my role as a priest or bishop”.

The current Bishop of Crediton said that now is “a time to reflect on tradition and scripture” to offer a message of the “inclusive love of Christ”.

She told journalists and members of the diocese at St Paul’s Cathedral that, while she respects the “clear” teaching of the Church on same-sex marriage, “all of us come under the love of God in Christ Jesus”.

“London is a very diverse city and I would hope that everybody can find a spiritual home and a place where they can encounter the love of Jesus Christ that I have come to know,” she said.

As she outlined her vision for the role, Ms Mullally also said she…

2. She’s a trained nurse

She became Chief Nursing Officer for England in 1999, the youngest person to be appointed to the post. She was also made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery.

3. She’s only been a bishop since 2015

She was appointed her as the Bishop of Crediton two and a half years ago becoming one of the first women to be appointed to the senior role. Her latest appointment marks a rapid rise within the Church of England.

4. She’s familiar with London

She was ordained in 2001 in the capital and served her curacy in St Saviour’s Battersea Fields, initially as a self-supporting minister, before leaving her Government post in 2004.

5. She is a novice potter.

As is customary with Downing street appointments – the hobbies of a bishop are revealed. Walking normally features highly but pottery was named for Bishop Sarah.

Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Bishop of London.

In a shock selection Mullally will move from her current role as Bishop of Crediton in the South west of England.

She was one of the first women to be appointed in the Church of England having previously advised the government in her role as Chief Nursing Officer.

She’s served most of her ministry in the capital after training at the South East Institute for Theological Education.

The Queen has approved the nomination of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the 133rd #BishopofLondon. Before becoming Bishop of Crediton, @bishopsarahm was a parish priest and Chief Nursing Officer for England: https://t.co/904dV4x9Fp pic.twitter.com/4Bv2WeVmGN

— London Diocese (@dioceseoflondon) December 18, 2017

Bishop Sarah said: “It is a great honour to be nominated to the See of London. Having lived and worked in London for over 32 years, the thought of returning here is about returning home.

“I am often asked what it has been like to have had two careers, first in the NHS and now in the Church. I prefer to think that I have always had one vocation: to follow Jesus Christ, to know him and to make him known, always seeking to live with compassion in the service of others, whether as a nurse, a priest, or a bishop.

“To be given the opportunity to do that now in this vibrant world-city is a wonderful privilege.”

Bishop Sarah will be introduced to representatives from…

Speaking to Premier Christianity magazine, the BBC Radio 2 presenter says after growing up in a Christian household he’s managed to lose faith and find faith during his lifetime.
 
Talking about his struggles with Christianity as a teenager, he said: “There were verses in the Bible I really struggled with. ‘You must love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength’ and there’s nobody in the world who does that.
 
“So these seemed like a series of impossible thresholds, and I gave up really.
 
He described having the right balance of faith and doubt as to how he came back to Christianity.
 
“I do like a lot of faith, and I quite like a bit of doubt – …sounds like a recipe,” he said. “People think ‘I’m not there because I can’t quite believe’. No, you’re there! The fact that you’re even having that thought.
 
“I’d be the worst evangelical ever because I’d constantly be saying, ‘I don’t know if it’s true either. Gosh, that’s both of us then!’ I would be completely unable to do that thing of ‘It is definitely true and here’s why’.
 
“I think that it’s better to be kind than to be right a lot of times in life. There’s a bit too much preoccupation with being right.”
 
Despite being open about his own faith, he says he understands the need to keep it separate from his work
 
He said: “You can’t go on the air and say: ‘I think there should be cycle routes in half of London’ (even though I do), because it would just wind up motorists.
 
“In the same…

The church took over Wembley Arena hosting three services back to back to meet demand.

Those gathered heard a host of traditional carols sung in contemporary style.

After selling out of tickets, the services were also streamed online to a worldwide audience.

The numbers attending far outweighs any other service across the UK.

Hillsong London is led by Australian pastor Gary Clarke and meets at London’s Dominion Theatre on Sundays.

Earlier this year the wider Hillsong network filled London’s biggest indoor arena the o2 over three days for its annual conference.