Next Bishop of St Albans announced

We are delighted to welcome the appointment of The Right Reverend Dr Andrew Paul Rumsey as the next Bishop of St Albans. The nomination, approved by His Majesty the King, was announced by 10 Downing Street this morning. Bishop Andrew is currently the Suffragan Bishop of Ramsbury in the Diocese of Salisbury.

Bishop Andrew returns to the diocese in which he was born and baptised, where his father served as a parish priest, and where he spent his early life. He described the announcement as “a homecoming” and said he was thrilled to be joining a “fine team” and humbled to follow “good and godly predecessors”.

In a pre‑recorded message released at the moment of the announcement, Bishop Andrew reflected on the significance of returning to the place that formed him:

“I am thrilled to be announced today as the next Bishop of St Albans. This is the diocese where I was born, baptised and grew up, and it is a profound joy to return home. My prayer is that together we will come home to Christ, and that our churches, schools and chaplaincies will be places where people of every background can truly belong. I look forward to coming to know who you are now, and to serving alongside you in the years ahead.”

Today’s launch begins at St Martin’s Church, Knebworth, where Bishop Andrew was baptised. The day also includes encounters that sample the breadth of diocesan life, from parish and environmental engagement to school communities and interfaith partnerships, echoing his commitment to a Church that is “good for all people”.

At the end of the day’s visits, Bishop Andrew will spend time at St Albans Cathedral, where he will be given a short tour, meet members of the Cathedral community, and join the congregation for Evensong. The service will be live‑streamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel for those who wish to take part online.

Bishop Andrew will move to the Diocese with his wife, Rebecca, and their family later this year, asking for prayers as they prepare for the transition. “Please know that I will be praying for you,” he said, “and I ask you to pray for me and our family as we prepare for all that lies ahead.”

About Bishop Andrew

The Right Revd Dr Andrew Paul Rumsey is currently the Suffragan Bishop of Ramsbury in the Diocese of Salisbury and will be well known to many in this region, having been born and raised in the Diocese of St Albans, where his father served as a parish priest. He studied at the University of Reading and King’s College London before training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Ordained deacon in 1997 and priest in 1998, he has served in a range of parish contexts, including Trinity St Michael, Harrow, and later as Vicar of Christ Church, Gipsy Hill in the Diocese of Southwark. He went on to become Rector of the Oxted Team Ministry in 2011.

Bishop Andrew has served as Bishop of Ramsbury since 2019 and is also the Church of England’s national lead bishop for church buildings. Alongside his episcopal ministry, he is known for his writing on place and belonging, including Parish: An Anglican Theology of Place (2017) and English Grounds: A Pastoral Journal (2022). He is also a singer‑songwriter; his latest album, Evensongs, was recorded live in the 12th‑century church of All Saints, Ham, where he and his collaborators set out to capture the natural sounds and character of a summer’s day in the building.