The 16th Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, will be given a warm welcome to the diocese in a service at Truro Cathedral on Saturday, January 12, 2019.

The service will see the new bishop formally occupy his ‘cathedra’ – his official seat – and the Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Roger Bush, will also present him with Bishop Benson’s ‘crosier’, or pastoral staff, a special link with the first Bishop of Truro.

In addition to these formal elements, the service will offer a joyous and proper Cornish welcome to the new bishop and his wife, Ruth.

Consecration as bishop

Canon Philip is due to be consecrated as a bishop in St Paul’s Cathedral by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, on November 30.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life will be invited to the welcome service in Truro, including many from churches across Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the diocese’s two parishes in Devon. Representatives of many community groups that do so much to improve people’s lives will be invited. The invitations will go out in batches starting today.

At least 100 tickets will be kept for any people who are not personally invited but who would like to attend. These tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, from January 7. If people would like to obtain one or two tickets they can call into the cathedral office from January 7 or email on: bishopswelcome@trurocathedral.org.uk

Service ‘for one and all’

In a break from tradition, only those taking part in the service will have reserved seating, as Canon Philip is keen to ensure the event is truly for ‘one and all’.

In addition, plans are afoot to transmit live coverage and broadcast it in Truro Methodist Church, which is very close to the cathedral, for those who would like to come along on the day but who do not have a ticket.

Dean Roger said: “We want to try and make sure that representation is as wide as possible at the service. It is a special event in the life of the cathedral, the diocese and Cornwall, so we are keen to make it very accessible.

‘We want everybody to feel welcome’ – Dean Roger

“We have around 900 seats in the cathedral, but it is surprising how quickly and easily that fills up, so we are keeping at least 100 tickets for those who will not be invited because of their involvement with a specific church or community group. We want everybody to feel welcome.

“In addition to this, anybody can come along on the day to Truro Methodist Church if they would like to be involved. Our thanks go to our Methodist friends for making the church available.”

The service of welcome will begin at noon, on Saturday, January 12, 2019.