New bishop is appointed (From Gazette Series)

New bishop is appointed

THE NEW Bishop of Gloucester, the Very Rev MichaelPerham, Dean of Derby, admits he has a lot to learn about Gloucestershire - and being a bishop.

His appointment was announced on Monday in succession to the Right Rev David Bentley who retired last year.

Following approval of his nomination by The Queen, it is expected his consecration and enthronement will take place during the late spring or early summer.

Speaking at the announcement of his appointment in the Mayor's Parlour at Gloucester City Council on Tuesday, the bishop-designate said: "It is difficult to avoid a clich, but it is a huge privilege (if a slightly daunting one) to stand before you today as the next Bishop of Gloucester.

"I am grateful to the mayor for this setting for, as Bishop, I shall want to make as strong as possible the links between church and community and to do everything in my power to serve, not only the Anglican Christians of Gloucester and Gloucestershire, whose chief pastor I am to become, but all the people of the city and the county willing to accept me as a partner in working for the common good.

"I have a lot to learn about Gloucestershire and a lot to learn about being a bishop. I will try to learn these lessons speedily and well.

"I shall come with real confidence in God, in the Christian gospel, and in the Church which is, despite what you hear, responding, I believe, creatively to a fast changing world.

"I am both challenged and excited by what lies ahead and I thank you all for sharing this special moment with me and with my wife, Alison."

Dean Perham, 56, has been at Derby Cathedral since 1998, first as provost and, since 2000, as dean. He is also a member of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England and chairman of the business committee of the General Synod.

Before moving to Derby, Dean Perham had a wide variety of experience - as a curate at Addington in the London borough of Croydon, as chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, as team rector of a large modern housing area at Poole and as precentor and canon residentiary of Norwich Cathedral.

He has a great interest in the church's worship and served on the Liturgical Commission from 1986 to 2001. He has written and edited a number of books on worship, liturgy and spirituality.

He was secretary to the Church's Doctrine Commission from 1979 to 1984, and served on the Archbishops' Commission on Church Music, which produced the report In Tune With Heaven.

His wife is a palliative medicine specialist based at St Giles' Hospice, near Lichfield. They have four teenage daughters: Rachel, 19, reading history at Durham University; Anna, 18, studying for A-levels; Sarah, 16, doing AS-levels and who has played hockey for the England Under 16s; and Mary, 13, a member of Derby Cathedral Girls Choir. Their Labrador, Lucy, provides Michael with a reason for long walks.

At Derby Dean Perham was responsible for the development of the cathedral's new visitor centre, which was opened by The Queen last year.