Bishop of Truro Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen to leave post

The announcement was made by Downing Street today following approval of his nomination by HM The King.

Bishop Philip says: “I had expected that being Bishop of Truro would be my last post before retirement, but it seems that God has other plans.

"After a lengthy and careful process, the people responsible, both locally and nationally, for the appointment in Winchester have concluded that there is a ‘Philip-shaped’ job to be done in their diocese and, after much prayer, I have accepted their invitation to be their next Bishop.

“Of course, there is never a perfect time to leave anywhere. We are still in a significant process of change in this diocese. But that change is happening on increasingly firm foundations.

“Over the last few years, we have weathered the storm of the pandemic - and the service so many of our churches gave to their communities was outstanding. We have an inspiring diocesan vision in ‘The Saints’ Way’. We have shared in developing a local vision for fruitful and sustainable parishes through the hard but important work of ‘On the Way’.

"We have grown deeper together in prayer in the process. We have a diocesan plan for change and renewal in place to support the Deanery Plans; to engage better with children and young people and those on the margins; to better equip our clergy for ministry in a changing world - and with plans too to keep the MMF call at a manageable level and to maintain stipendiary clergy numbers. Furthermore, the announcement of a new Dean of Truro will shortly be made, to lead our cathedral into a fruitful future.

“And in addition to all that, we have an outstandingly strong senior team in this diocese, and I know that you will be incredibly well led by Bishop Hugh, who will be the Acting Diocesan Bishop until a new Bishop of Truro is in post. I do not believe I could leave you in safer hands.”

The Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, said: “Bishop Philip will be much missed. He has guided us through Covid and a time of change, and he leaves us with a clear sense of direction and purpose. Winchester diocese will be blessed to have him as their new bishop, and he goes with our gratitude and our prayers. It has been an honour to serve alongside +Philip and to learn from him, and I am grateful for his kindness, his deep faith and his relentless hope in God.”

Bishop Philip was consecrated on November 30, 2018, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and was welcomed to the Diocese of Truro on January 12, 2019.

During his time as Bishop of Truro, Philip has also chaired the Church of England’s Partnership for World Mission and was asked by the then Foreign Secretary to investigate how well – or otherwise – the Foreign Office had responded to the global issue of the global persecution of Christians. The recommendations of the final report, published seven months later, were subsequently accepted in full by the UK government.

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Prior to becoming the 16th Bishop of Truro, Bishop Philip was the executive leader of the Church Mission Society, enabling networking across the Anglican Communion and beyond.

Bishop Philip added: “As you can imagine, I do not leave without regret. Bishops are called, according to the service of ordination, ‘to know and love their people and to be known by them’ - and I have come to know and love so many of you over these last four and half years, and I’m immensely grateful to you for the love you have shown me. In many ways you have taught me how to be a bishop. I will always be proud of my Cornish roots, and of having been Bishop of Truro, and I will always be deeply grateful to you all.

“Please do pray for Ruth and for me, as we certainly shall for you. And may God bless you all richly as you walk ‘The Saints’ Way’ together.”

You can see a video of this announcement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_JSihAABs&t=72s