Adapted from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s chaplain, the Rev. Canon Jo Bailey Wells, is to be the next Bishop of Dorking, Downing Street announced today.
Canon Wells will be the fifth Bishop of Dorking, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Ian Brackley, who retired in the autumn.
The Bishop of Dorking is the suffragan bishop for the Diocese of Guildford, and assists the Bishop of Guildford in leading the diocese. Her work will include nurturing vocations and working with the many schools and colleges in the diocese.
Archbishop Justin Welby welcomed the news:
During the three years Jo has been at Lambeth Palace her outstanding gifts as a pastor, scholar, and strategist have been a huge blessing to me and to the wider Church. While serving as my chaplain with tireless dedication and immense skill, she has, in the grace of God, taken forward my first ministry priority of the renewal of prayer and the religious life.
Under her oversight, the worshiping life at Lambeth Palace has been transformed, most notably by the arrival of the Chemin Neuf community and the Community of St. Anselm.
All at Lambeth Palace will miss Jo greatly, but we know that the Diocese of Guildford will be blessed richly by her ministry as a bishop.
“I am both honored and humbled at the prospect of serving and living in the diocese of Guildford as the next Bishop of Dorking,” Canon Wells said. “I am excited to get to know the area and its people: to discover what God is up to and to share God’s abundant blessings within and beyond the church.
“I’ve always found immense joy in nurturing disciples and teaching the faith. I shall look forward to opportunities for this around the diocese — particularly with young people through its many thriving schools and colleges — that each may discover the fulfillment and joy which Jesus offers to everyone. At the same time I expect to learn a lot, as well as laugh a lot, through this new opportunity for serving together.”
