The new Acting Bishop of Worcester has been appointed.

Bishop Martin Gorick was commissioned as the Acting Bishop of Worcester on Wednesday (October 9), a role he will hold alongside his position as Bishop of Dudley until a new Bishop of Worcester is appointed.

The commissioning took place at Evensong at Worcester Cathedral, where Bishop Martin was prayed for by the Dean of Worcester, Stephen Edwards, and anointed with oil.

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He received the Bishop’s crozier, which was laid down by Bishop John Inge on his retirement.

Bishop Martin said: "I have been Bishop of Dudley for almost five years now, and will happily remain so, while also carrying out some wider duties.

"It won’t be possible to do everything on my own, and I will be ably supported by colleagues as I make a number of adjustments so that I can properly focus on the needs of the Diocese, its clergy and people."

The process to find the next Bishop has already started and a diocesan ‘statement of needs’ has been developed following consultation with people throughout the Diocese.

There is now a period of discernment with potential candidates shortlisted next May and interviewed in June.

It is hoped that an announcement about a new Bishop will be made in July.