It has been announced today (13 September 2023) that Bishop Ruth has been invited to be the Acting Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Coventry following the retirement of the Bishop of Warwick, the Rt Revd John Stroyan and the appointment of the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, as the Dean of Windsor.
Bishop Ruth will take up the secondment in mid-November and will remain in post until a Bishop of Coventry is appointed. The process of appointing a new bishop is expected to take a year. During that time, Bishop Ruth will continue to be the Bishop of Taunton, as she did when she was Acting Bishop of Bath and Wells but will be based in Coventry.
Bishop Ruth says, “As I depart on this secondment, I would like to express my thankfulness for everyone in Bath and Wells for all the love and support I have received. It has been eight years of huge changes, exciting innovations and, of course, a transition to a new diocesan bishop. I am very grateful for all that I have learnt here which I am sure will stand me in good stead as I move to support the Diocese of Coventry in their time of need.
“In Bath and Wells we are blessed with a fabulous team of archdeacons and lots of retired bishops who were a great support to me when I was Acting Bishop of Bath and Wells and I know they will prove to be so for Bishop Michael in my absence.”
Bishop Michael said, “As a diocese we always seek to support our friends in times of need and were happy to help when Bishop Ruth’s wisdom and experience was called on to help guide the Diocese of Coventry through this period of transition. She did an excellent job here in Bath and Wells in holding the episcopal interregnum before my arrival and I’m therefore intensely proud that Ruth has been the obvious person for Coventry to turn to. I ask that we pray for her and the people of the Diocese of Coventry as they navigate this time together.”
Bishop Ruth will still be seen about in the diocese before taking on the new role, including leading the diocesan Confirmation Service in Wells Cathedral on 4 November and the clergy Pre-Advent Retreats* from 7 to 9 November.
Read the announcement on the Diocese of Coventry’s website.
* Please note that invitations to the Clergy Retreat Days will be issued in the coming weeks by the Bishops' Office.