The Rt Rev Graham James is set to remain as Bishop of Norwich after the Rt Revd Paul Butler, currently Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, was named as the new Bishop of Durham Designate by Downing Street this morning.
According to local North East newspaper the Northern Echo, bookmakers had installed Bishop Graham as the favourite for the post.
The fourth most senior position in the Church of England fell vacant when incumbent Justin Welby became Archbishop of Canterbury earlier this year.
Bishop Graham was also said to be among the frontrunners for the Archbishop of Canterbury position when Bishop Justin was appointed. At the time he said: “I’m fairly sure the whole process will lead, I hope and pray, to God choosing someone other than me.”
Asked what he would do if he was chosen, he replied: “I shall pray a lot more.”
Bishop Graham, was Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1987 to 1993 and has been the Bishop of Norwich since 1999. He has sat in the House of Lords since 2004 and is married with two children. He also chairs the BBC’s Standing Conference on Religion and Belief and is the Church of England’s lead spokesman on media issues.
Read the full story at the Northern Echo
Read our previous story on this topic
Read the official Durham Diocese announcement
Read the full article here
