Thinking Anglicans

Bishop of Carlisle

Press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. There is more on the Carlisle diocesan website.

Appointment of Bishop of Carlisle: 9 May 2025

The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh, for election as Bishop of Carlisle

From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 9 May 2025

The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh, Suffragan Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle, for election as Bishop of Carlisle, in succession to The Right Reverend James William Scobie Newcome, following his retirement.

Background

Rob was educated at Birmingham University and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St. Lawrence, Appleby in the Diocese of Carlisle, and was ordained Priest in 2006. He was appointed Diocesan Initial Ministerial Education Officer in 2007 and Diocesan Director of Ordinands in 2008. Alongside both of these roles he served as Bishop’s Chaplain and Assistant Priest at St. Michael’s, Dalston, with Cumdivock, Raughton Head and Wreay. In 2010, he was appointed Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Kendal and, from 2020, served as Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Newcastle and Residentiary Canon of Newcastle Cathedral.

In 2022, Rob took up his current role as Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, in the Diocese of Carlisle and, since 2023, he has served as Acting Bishop of Carlisle.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

11 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Father David
Father David
8 hours ago

Penrith to Carlise is becoming a bit of an habit. Once is an innovation – twice in a row becomes a tradition.

Paul Hutchinson
Paul Hutchinson
Reply to  Father David
6 hours ago

But James was not the first. Cyril Bulley made that move in the 1960s. Cumbria values continuity in a very particular way, and sometimes the internal candidate may become very obviously the right candidate.

Too old to genuflect
Too old to genuflect
Reply to  Father David
6 hours ago

Evangelicals becoming bishops seems to be a bit of a habit too!

Paul Hutchinson
Paul Hutchinson
Reply to  Too old to genuflect
5 hours ago

In case you hadn’t noticed, Carlisle’s Diocesan bishops have been generally of a central-low tradition over many years. The current appointment is hardly indicative of a national trend.

Too old to genuflect
Too old to genuflect
Reply to  Paul Hutchinson
3 hours ago

I had noticed.
However there does seem to be a national trend.

Nigel Goodwin
Nigel Goodwin
Reply to  Too old to genuflect
4 hours ago

James was head of my house, senior prefect, and full back for school and my house. I always remember he got down on his knees and prayed before getting into bed.

Man of integrity and decency, at least at school. Thrashing by prefects was banned by my time, but he was never a thrasher type anyway.

Nearly in tears when he missed a tackle in a house final rugger match and we lost.

Too old to genuflect
Too old to genuflect
Reply to  Nigel Goodwin
3 hours ago

The Church of England clearly needs good muscular rugger- playing chaps from the better public schools to keep our noses to the grindstone.

Last edited 3 hours ago by Too old to genuflect
Nigel Goodwin
Nigel Goodwin
Reply to  Too old to genuflect
2 hours ago

Ha ha! I also ran a lot with Nick McKinnel, who was quite good in his youth, used to win most cross country competitions and county championships.

nobody would ever have accused me of being muscular. Weedy would have been more accurate. Maybe that is why I didn’t become a bishop (or priest).

Too old to genuflect
Too old to genuflect
Reply to  Nigel Goodwin
2 hours ago

Absolutely. Get back on the fives court and the rugger pitch and don’t get too serious about all this religion stuff unless you get invited to a Bash Camp!

Ben
Ben
Reply to  Nigel Goodwin
2 hours ago

Out of interest may I ask which school that was? (it’s not named in the press release or +James’ wikapedia)

Father David
Father David
7 hours ago

In 1966 Bishop Bulley was also translated from Penrith to Carlisle.

11
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x