The 68th Bishop of Carlisle will be officially welcomed to the role this weekend.
On Saturday, November 29, the Rt Rev Robert Saner-Haigh will be formally received as the Bishop of Carlisle during a special service of welcome and enthronement at Carlisle Cathedral at 2pm.
Over 500 people from across the county, the UK and overseas will attend the ticketed service, with many more expected to join the livestream on the Diocese of Carlisle YouTube channel.
Behind-the-scenes moments will also be shared throughout the day across the diocese’s and cathedral’s social media pages.
Bishop Rob will arrive on foot, having walked a section of the Cumbrian Way, symbolising his desire to journey alongside local churches and communities.
He will knock on the cathedral’s west door, be welcomed by young people from across the county, and take the ancient bishop’s seat in the cathedral as prayers, music and readings – including one in Cumbrian dialect – celebrate the life and faith of the county.
Apart from a short period serving in the North East, Bishop Rob has spent almost all of his ordained ministry in Cumbria.
Since arriving in 2005 to serve his curacy in Appleby Deanery, he has ministered in Dalston with Cumdivock, Raughtonhead and Wreay.
He later became Bishop’s Chaplain and Director of Ordinands, before spending 10 years as vicar of Holy Trinity in Kendal.
In 2022 he was appointed Bishop of Penrith, and since 2023 has been serving as acting Bishop of Carlisle.
Bishop Rob said: “It is such an honour to be Bishop of Carlisle and to be able to continue to serve this county that I love.
“We are committed to the local church. It’s where we learn together about who God is and what that means for our lives and the place where we can best serve our local communities.
“There are a rich variety of churches across the county, from those which have stood as a sign of God’s love at the heart of their communities for 1,000 years, to those starting new today in village halls or on fellsides. These must be places of welcome and friendship, places where all can come to discover more of God’s love for them and God’s purpose for their lives.
“I will do all I can to help each flourish as, together, we seek to share the good news and hope of Jesus. As Bishop of Carlisle, I will also seek to highlight this wonderful county and to do all I can for the people of Cumbria.”
Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, said: “Bishop Rob knows and loves this county, its churches and its communities.
“His deep commitment to serving alongside others is already well established here. This is a hopeful moment for Cumbria, and we are delighted to share it with so many people from across the county and beyond.”
Bishop Rob continues to champion the county’s ecumenical God for All vision, working with churches of many traditions to support mission, prayer and community life throughout Cumbria. He succeeds the Rt Revd James Newcome as Bishop of Carlisle, following his retirement in August 2023.
